This image looks better bigger than smaller, the splash is easily seen in larger sizes than in the smallish picture above.
Birds have to keep their feathers clean and well preened in order to fly well. This duck was spending a good half an hour splashing about cleaning herself. This allowed for many pictures to be taken and this is one of the better ones. These ducks are fairly shy making it difficult to get as close as this, even with a long telephoto lens.
The camera recorded the following information in the original image file:
Nikon D2X
2008/03/08 14:07:52.7
Color
Data Format: Compressed RAW (12-bit)
Image Size: Large (4288 x 2848)
Lens: 80-400mm F/4.5-5.6 D
Focal Length: 400mm
Exposure Mode: Manual
Metering Mode: Spot
1/200 sec - F/9
Exposure Comp.: 0 EV
Flash Sync Mode: Not Attached
Sensitivity: ISO 100
Color Mode: Mode II (Adobe RGB)
Hue Adjustment: 0
Gerald & Irmgard Carter
White Balance: Direct Sunlight
AF Mode: AF-C
Tone Comp: Less Contrast
Saturation: Normal
Sharpening: None
Long Exposure NR: Off
High ISO NR: Off