Young (or eclipse?) Wood Duck

Image Critiques Avian Critiques
1

-20241108-_A1_9388-McLane Creek-ARW-Edit.jpg
-20241108-_A1_9388-McLane Creek-ARW-Edit.jpg2048×1448 1.85 MB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.

Description

I finally got down to our local pond yesterday morning to look for Wood Ducks. I found a couple and this young or eclipse phase (not sure which) hopped up on this nearby log to preen. There are still quite a few decrepit lily pads on the pond to deal with , but I chose to leave the two on the left.

Specific Feedback

Are the lily pads too much of a distraction?

Technical Details

Sony A1, FE 200-600 + 1.4 TC @ 482 mm, monopod, f/9, 1/2000, iso 8000. Noise reduction using DxO PureRaw4, processed in LR & PS CC. Cropped to 6176x4368. Taken November 8th at 9:43 a.m.

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1 Like
2

Dennis, nice pose from this guy. Nice eye and bit of beak. I have mixed feeling about the most decrepit leaf (the upper one).
Wish we had wood ducks here - I suppose there might be a few on the more-inland ponds.

3

Hi Dennis
The two lily pads seem to balance each other and the Wood Duck is very cool.
Peter

4

Dennis. It seems you were trying to leave some behind the duck (direction it is looking) but I don’t think it is necessary. I would think a square image with a bit of judicial cloning might look a bit cleaner. I love the detail and colors in the bird, the log is nice, and the water is nice.

5

Hi Dennis, fine details and color on the duck. Always great to see this species. Composition looks good to me. Love seeing that striking red eye with the orange eye ring.