Hooded Merganser

Gallery: AvianPosted November 12, 2011202 views9 comments

This drake and his mate make several appearances at a reflecting pond at the Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge Massachusetts, where they have been frequent but elusive visitors. I had concerns with the composition because of the many fallen leaves on the water's surface, but finally decided against cropping more from the frame-are they distracting?

D3s
500mm f/4.0
1/80s @ f/7.1
ISO 320
-1EV
Pattern

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on November 12, 2011 at 1:11 PM

Chuck,

The water color in this image is gorgeous and I'm glad you left as much of it as you did. Lokks like a fine Cognac. I like the pose of the drake, the great look at the eye and the silky texture of the water and reflection. The darks look a touch dark to me but you may have blown out the whites if you had increased your exposure compensation. You could try to bring up the midtones of the darks and see how that works.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on November 12, 2011 at 3:19 PM

I'll second Mia's comments on this. Nice colors and composition.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Jaymes Dempsey on November 12, 2011 at 4:18 PM

Nice colors! The water ripples are really nice, also...I think the leaves are fine!
Jaymes

Registered on June 28, 2010, 47 Posts, 590 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on November 12, 2011 at 6:40 PM

Love the water ripple and the position of the ducks head. Leaves look find to me. Beautiful image.

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on November 12, 2011 at 11:43 PM

Great image. The low angle, crispness and detail in the merganser and color of the water are great.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on November 13, 2011 at 9:46 AM

Great water and the leaves don't detract for me. You got lots of nice details on the duck and bringing those blacks up a little may improve this already nice image. Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Rohn B. McKee on November 14, 2011 at 5:02 PM

Very nice image, a good example of documenting a beautiful bird in an artistic composition. Well done

Registered on November 18, 2008, 109 Posts, 415 Comments

Comment posted by Andrea Marzorati on November 16, 2011 at 11:51 AM

Nice colors, good comp and lovely bird

Registered on December 1, 2005, 86 Posts, 589 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on November 26, 2011 at 5:31 PM

I just discovered this image. What gorgeous golden colors. Lovely.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments