For me, the best light is either early morning or late afternoon.

Canon 7D with the 500L f4 lens handheld @ 1/800, f4, ISO 400, +1 2/3 exposure compensation.

Minimal work for this one. Cropped to centre for my usual 12 x 16 frame. Face slightly lightened. Background despeckled after sharpening to put more emphasis on the duck - and that's it.

I had no problem with horizon leveling contrary to my last couple of image :-)

Cheers,

Mike