A few back lit winter shots. Thoughts?

[rkymtnhigh]

I have been having problems with my back lit winter shots. The snow/ice can have such a harsh reflection from the sun I have been fighting either the back ground washing out or not getting enough detail of my subject. I am pretty happy with these but I still feel like there is some room for improvment. Let me know what you think and any thoughts or suggestions would be appriciated. Thanks!

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[acellis]

Here are a few thoughts i've have when viewing them. Did you use a polarizing filter? i would also crop those of the distracting elements especially in the case of the ducks. In pp can you add a graduated ND filter top down and bottom up and just to the edge of the ducks??? bump up the contrast and vibrance??!!??!!