Handsome Shoveler

Gallery: AvianPosted January 28, 201583 views3 comments

I found this handsome Shoveler Drake at the local lake. The Buffleheads weren't cooperating, so I decided to try my hand at several Shovelers that posed in the late afternoon sun. I thought this guy was just about perfect. Every feather in place. He even struck a cocky pose, like he knew he was good looking. Processed using Lightroom 5 and Photoshop CC 2014. Cloned out a small rock at the left edge of the image. Comments and critiques welcome.

Canon 7D
Canon 200-400 f4 L IS
1/1250 s
ISO 640
560mm (Teleconverter engaged)

Comments

3 comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on January 28, 2015 at 10:01 PM

Proud looking fella! Good detail and eye contact. The angle is a little steep, but probably as low as you could get. The whites on the eye and neck are not blown, but mighty close. Worth looking at toning them down if you can pick up any detail, but good as is if you can't.

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hansen on January 29, 2015 at 1:25 PM

This is an extremely handsome shoveler. The ones I see are usually pretty ratty looking, often with pond scum on them. Also, I like that the whole body is visible rather than half submerged as I usually see them. Great light, colors, and pose. Maybe you could get a little more detail in the whites.

Registered on May 5, 2011, 161 Posts, 908 Comments

Comment posted by David Bogener on January 30, 2015 at 4:27 PM

Handsome drake. I like the pose, detail, light and colors. The whites toward the rump look a little hot on my monitor, but it may just be my monitor. Nicely done.

Registered on October 30, 2013, 417 Posts, 1255 Comments