# Wood Duck Sniper Shot **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** editors-pick, birds\ **Created:** [March 26, 2026, 7:20pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/wood-duck-sniper-shot/50238 "2026-03-26T19:20:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jim\_Zablotny](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/jim_zablotny/32/3919_2.png) [@Jim\_Zablotny](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Jim_Zablotny)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2026, 7:20pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/wood-duck-sniper-shot/50238/1 "2026-03-26T19:20:02Z")
![WoodDuckReflection.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/c/b/cbd2d5a21eeb39627a9b1271acd30f10fc3588d2.jpeg) > **Critique Style Requested:** _Standard_ > > The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image. ### Description I was scanning the flooding our at the heron rookery and found a few wood ducks. This one was out at around 75 yards away. The morning light was perfect and little wind for a near perfect reflection made me take a bunch of shots. I liked the head turn which showed off the bill nicely. ### Specific Feedback I wish the duck was closer, but I think I captured this one quite well with a very generous crop. What do you think of the comp? ### Technical Details Z9 600mm f4 + 1.4TC (1/6400 sec at f7.1, ISO 2500) Levels, DeNoise, Crop for Comp, Shadows & Highlights, Rubber Stamp for removing floating debris on water. ---
**Author:** ![Diane\_Miller](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/diane_miller/32/27391_2.png) [@Diane\_Miller](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Diane_Miller)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2026, 9:58pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/wood-duck-sniper-shot/50238/2 "2026-03-26T21:58:03Z")
Love it!!! Super detail, pose, environment and light! I’m betting you have the IQ to crop in a lot more if you want, but nothing to criticize about this choice. ---
**Author:** ![Allen\_Brooks](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/allen_brooks/32/390_2.png) [@Allen\_Brooks](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Allen_Brooks)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2026, 10:19pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/wood-duck-sniper-shot/50238/3 "2026-03-26T22:19:38Z")
A real beauty, Jim. Excellent detail, great reflection, and the water is nicely complementary background. I like the composition as presented. ---
**Author:** ![Dennis\_Plank](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dennis_plank/32/27033_2.png) [@Dennis\_Plank](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dennis_Plank)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2026, 11:49pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/wood-duck-sniper-shot/50238/4 "2026-03-26T23:49:37Z")
Excellent work, Jim. I love the reflection and the head turn works very well. What’s that it’s standing on? It looks like some kind of large tuber. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Sandor](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/richard_sandor/32/88084_2.png) [@Richard\_Sandor](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Richard_Sandor)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2026, 8:09pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/wood-duck-sniper-shot/50238/5 "2026-03-27T20:09:29Z")
Jim: what’s not to like about a beautiful with a perfect reflection. The image definitely deserves to be printed large. ---
**Author:** ![Allen\_Sparks](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/allen_sparks/32/63507_2.png) [@Allen\_Sparks](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Allen_Sparks)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2026, 10:37am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/wood-duck-sniper-shot/50238/6 "2026-03-28T10:37:48Z")
A real beauty Jim. Outstanding details on the bird with great color. Very nice reflection. Interesting perch also. Nicely done. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morrissey](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/peter_morrissey/32/683_2.png) [@Peter\_Morrissey](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Peter_Morrissey)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2026, 7:55pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/wood-duck-sniper-shot/50238/8 "2026-03-29T19:55:32Z")
Hi Jim Congratulations on the editor’s pick of the Week. Peter ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_Zablotny](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/jim_zablotny/32/3919_2.png) [@Jim\_Zablotny](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Jim_Zablotny)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2026, 2:40pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/wood-duck-sniper-shot/50238/9 "2026-04-01T14:40:30Z")
Thank you @Dennis_Plank , @Diane_Miller , @Allen_Brooks , @Richard_Sandor , @Allen_Sparks , @Peter_Morrissey , and @NPN_Editor for comments, critiques, and EP. There’s a lot of pickerel weed and I believe that the wood duck is perched on parts of the rhizome of this plant…Jim ---
**Author:** ![armin](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/armin/32/82262_2.png) [@armin](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/armin)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2026, 9:15am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/wood-duck-sniper-shot/50238/10 "2026-04-07T09:15:31Z")
Well done Jim. A very nice reflection. I would probably crop a bit more on the left and the bottom, but that is a very personal preference. ---
**Author:** ![framingtheuntamed](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/framingtheuntamed/32/80226_2.png) [@framingtheuntamed](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/framingtheuntamed)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2026, 7:35pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/wood-duck-sniper-shot/50238/11 "2026-04-07T19:35:58Z")
Really nice! Love the composition and reflection. Great colors and detail on the wood duck. ---
**Author:** ![Jerry\_Austin](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/jerry_austin/32/396_2.png) [@Jerry\_Austin](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Jerry_Austin)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2026, 1:59pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/wood-duck-sniper-shot/50238/12 "2026-04-25T13:59:15Z")
When the reflection is as sharp and clear as the subject, you know you have something special. Wood ducks are one of my favorite subjects. You handled the blacks and whites very well. Not an easy task on a wood duck. Very nice image.