Hooded Merganser

Gallery: AvianPosted January 19, 2014193 views15 comments

Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus)

Place: Papago Park, Phoenix, AZ
Date: January 14, 2014, 8:34 am
Equipment: Nikon D300, Nikkor AF-S 300/2.8 & TC20E III (2x), G1325, RRS BH-55, Sidekick
Exposure: aperture priority matrix metered, ISO 400, 1/800th @ f/8
Raw, PS CS3 on Mac, 80% of frame

One of the less common ducks that winter around Phoenix, this drake joined the ring-necks and other more common species at a popular urban park. Although not baited for this image the ducks here are very accommodated to people and behave like they have been fed by other visitors.

Honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated.

Comments

15 comments

Comment posted by John Robinson on January 19, 2014 at 1:34 PM

That's a clonker ! Bird ,water and everything . Good stuff.
John

Registered on March 2, 2008, 535 Posts, 2453 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on January 19, 2014 at 1:37 PM

Very nice, Richard! The water is beautiful, the partially raised crest is nice, and your details are wonderful. Just a little tight at the tail. That eye really draws me in. Sharon

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

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on January 19, 2014 at 1:55 PM

Very nice Rich. Good detail in the duck and very pleasing water colors.

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on January 19, 2014 at 2:30 PM

Nice!! ~ Fine detail, great natural colours, and gorgeous water.
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Jenkins on January 19, 2014 at 3:09 PM

Wonderful image, sharp, good light and BG. The only time I have seen these was in the wild where I couldn't get with in 50 yards of them. Very pretty duck and nice capture.

Registered on April 20, 2008, 307 Posts, 604 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on January 19, 2014 at 5:33 PM

Excellent job exposing that B&W front, Richard, and I like the water texture and color. Nice job.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by John Neukirch on January 19, 2014 at 8:53 PM

Excellent image Richard, only wish the tail wasn't touching the left edge.

Registered on July 9, 2012, 207 Posts, 1476 Comments

Comment posted by Matthew Studebaker on January 19, 2014 at 10:32 PM

handsome fellow, nice colors

Registered on December 21, 2013, 11 Posts, 82 Comments

Comment posted by Randy Runtsch on January 20, 2014 at 7:33 AM

The colors and details of the bird are rich, Richard. The image might even be better with an inch or so of open water behind the tail and the full reflection of the head.

Registered on October 30, 2013, 50 Posts, 445 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on January 20, 2014 at 4:54 PM

Excellent! No nits from me Rich, very nice.

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on January 20, 2014 at 5:09 PM

A delightful image Rich!

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

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on January 20, 2014 at 8:34 PM

Excellent details, love the pose. The colors of the water are beautiful.

Ray

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on January 21, 2014 at 11:50 AM

Wonderful shot Rich and nice job handling the B&W contrast. I also like the complimentary water reflection background.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on January 22, 2014 at 11:44 PM

Nice detail Rich, any more room behind??

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on January 22, 2014 at 11:54 PM

...any more room behind??

Unfortunately, no.

I felt lucky to be able to hold focus on the head of this merganser as it swam in and out of sun and shade, and didn't manage to frame the subject with more space behind.

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