Horned Grebe [Archive] - BirdPhotographers.net

Marina Scarr

01-26-2013, 09:14 PM

We have the good fortune to have a few Horned Grebes visit Tampa Bay during the winter months. Cheryl Molennor and I donned our waders and photographed them from eye level on several occasions. While the water appears calm, the slippery rocks under foot were not always easy to navigate. I went down one day but it was shallow enough that I was able to hold my gear above water. Cheryl wasn't so lucky. I still remember turning around to check on her and wondering why she was not in my line of vision. :Whoa!:

Used F13 here b/c I was using my 2x TC, the birds were swimming fairly close, and I wanted to make sure the entire head was sharp.

Canon 1D3, Canon 500L & 2xTC @ 1000mm
F13, 1/1600sec, ISO 640, manual mode
Feisol tripod in water down low wearing waders

C & C always welcomed and much appreciated.

Grace Scalzo

01-26-2013, 10:03 PM

It's lovely, Marina. Sounds like you worked hard to create this image, and it really paid off. Head turn is perfect, excellent choice of f=stop. I could see just a tiny bit more on the bottom.

Mike Delgado

01-26-2013, 11:23 PM

Nice Image Marina.

Colin Driscoll

01-26-2013, 11:28 PM

Marina, great result for your efforts. The image does look a little flat/dull though. I did play with it briefly and found auto curves and a gentle touch of SH lifted it.

Loi Nguyen

01-27-2013, 01:31 AM

Marina, so that is the secret to photograph these grebes! To wear wader and shoot at eye level! Talking about committed to get the perfect shot! I love the smoothness of the water behind the grebe and the perfect head turn. It seems to me the neck is in sharper focus than the eye. Is it just me looking at this image on an iPad?

Frank Schauf

01-27-2013, 03:23 AM

Great picture, nice deep shooting position and great eye contact, Marina.

Satish Ranadive

01-27-2013, 04:42 AM

Marina:
Excellent image of Grebe.Nice HA,beautiful colors,sharpness and Lovely BG.
Like the low angle and composition. Love the frame.

Regards,
Satish.

Vivaldo Damilano

01-27-2013, 05:01 AM

Excellent Marina, good hard work always pays off. Love the low angle you managed to get and good head turn.

Stu Bowie

01-27-2013, 05:34 AM

Hi Marina, standing in the water has created a perfect eye level capture. Good look back pose from the Grebe, well exposed, and love the red eye. If this were mine, I would remove the tiny lower catchlight - I feel it would 'neaten' the eye much more.

Randy Stout

01-27-2013, 07:12 AM

Marina:

Very nice shot, from 'the day Cheryl went swimming'.

Great POV, well exposed.

My two thoughts before reading others comments, a sliver more room below, and try a version without the lower catchlight. Even though it is perfectly natural, it degrades the apparent sharpness of the eye.

Cheers

Randy

Melissa Groo

01-27-2013, 08:36 AM

Wonderful image, Marina. When I look at how skillful you are with a 2X TC, it always makes me think I should do more with mine. I love your low angle, the head turn, and eye contact.
Like Grace, I could see just a touch more space on the bottom too, but otherwise perfectly composed.

Gary Esman

01-27-2013, 09:43 AM

Hi Marina, like the low angle here, the details in the whites and the HA. Very nice you had this opportunity, you made the best of it.

Gary.

Jim Crosswell

01-27-2013, 09:49 AM

I like the low angle, details, exposure and calm water. I could see a version with more space below. Excellent image and field work Marina!

Rachel Hollander

01-27-2013, 12:33 PM

Hi Marina - great low pov and detail. I like the silkiness of the water and you're brave for wading in with all that equipment. It paid off. Maybe just a little tight at the bottom but overall an excellent image.

TFS,
Rachel

Sandy Witvoet

01-27-2013, 06:07 PM

Love the "wet look" on the neck (sounds like you had that TOO!) ... great "gaze", lovely capture...agree with Jim and Rachel... maybe a Teeny extra space below? Great work!

Jon Swanson

01-27-2013, 08:18 PM

Beautiful light, details, and the red eye! I like them in breeding colors and we are fortunate to see them both ways up here.

Robert Holguin

01-27-2013, 11:50 PM

Very nice shot.
Just love the super low shooting angle, terrific pose, very nice soft light, and excellent details.
Very well done.