Hooded Merganser

Great duck! I really like the way you treated the reflection.

Closer than I've ever gotten Dave. Neat reflection and strong colours

Very nice! I like this one a lot. Sharon

Great job on the exposure; dark ducks with a big splash of white are a real challenge

Smaller image doesn't do it justice David - great detail and colour

cheers
Rob

Larger image is wonderful David. Great job on the exposure and getting good detail in the black head areas and the white as well. I live the comp and the nice water. Very well done on a subject I find very difficult to make look nice in an image.

David,
wonderful capture of this beautiful duck! Very nice light, colors and exposure control. Detail is really sharp in the larger version. Excellent work.

Great reflections and nice colours! Fine Work.

I found a pair of these last wek. Great detail. They do seem a bit skiddish

Dave,

I know this is probably going to sound a little silly, but I love how you were able to show the serrated edges of the black bill of this species. That is a challenge and you met it very well. The merganser if gorgeous, I like the pose, the reflection and the ripples in the water. The droplet hanging from the bill adds a lot of interest too. Thanks for providing the larger image, I appreciate seeing the details better!

Would love to have this image in my files.

Very nice light, details and reflection. I have found these ducks to paddle quickly in the opposite direction as soon as I approach. Looks like this one was content with your presence, or you were in a blind or protected sanctuary. Well done all around!

Everyone:
Thanks for all the feedback.
Brian wrote
"Very nice light, details and reflection. I have found these ducks to paddle quickly in the opposite direction as soon as I approach. Looks like this one was content with your presence, or you were in a blind or protected sanctuary. Well done all around!"
Not in a blind. Viera Wetlands is a protected sanctuary, but they show the same behavior you describe - paddling in the opposite direction as soon as I approach. I spotted two mergansers in my binoculars and noted the general direction in which they were feeding. I drove the car to a location that did not bother them and waited until they worked their way into camera range. This rarely works, but it did this time.

Terrific shot of a great looking bird, looks like he had a friend close behind.

David, this series is just getting better and better. Nice dynamic range on a duck that boats so many tones. Love the smooth counters of the water as well.

I don't think this fellows deserves the label "JAD", David. I'd say: another very handsome duck (AVHD)! I really like the composition and detail in the browns and blacks. The white's don't look blown but I don't see much detail there either. I think that sometimes the feather structure is just too fine for use to see with a particular lens. Although the reflection is broken up it looks natural and fine.

Great duck (GD) and some great lighting as well. The ripples from the duck that I assume is behind this one complicates the composition a little bit. You know its a great photo when that's all someone can nit pick.