Whooper Swan

[William Dickson]

Canon 5D Mkiii
f/4 500mm with 1x4iii
f/5.6
1/2000
ISO 1600

The Whooper Swans have now arrived to winter in Scotland from Iceland.

I managed to capture this one on my recent trip to Speyside

Thanks for having a look

[Mike Poole]

Can't beat a good flapping shot! I really like the 3/4 angle you've shown here, it keeps the swan from getting too small in the frame as can happen with a straight on shot.

Ideally I would have like a lower POV to really accentuate the size of these birds and maybe move the line of the banking in the background, but I also know thats not possible at all locations.

Best part for me though is the wing position, with the far wing showing all the detail and the near wing framing the head and neck nicely

[William Dickson]

Thanks for that Mike. I got as low as I could (without gettin my feet wet:w3)

I have taken some of the top of the image, what do u think

146429

[Mike Poole]

I like that RP - taking that top line of the banking off does make a nice difference

[Randy Stout]

William:

Good comments from Mike. We get a rare whooper here in Michigan, and even have Troopers, a cross of Whoopers and Trumpeters.

The RP is better. The birds right wing really gives one a sense of just how big and powerful they are. I do get the comment about the left wing, would prefer if it was a bit more open.

The details look good, although the breast looks like the effect I get on my whites if I use a bit too much Nik detail extractor to try and tone done the whites.

Hopefully you will have a productive fall and winter season with these wonderful birds.

Cheers

Randy

[Ian McHenry]

Really like the action and timing of this image.
I do prefer your first post as a large impressive bird like this, to me needs that extra space.
Cheers: Ian Mc

[christopher galeski]

nice pose,good detail in the whites,sharp,like the repost.

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi William, love the overall colour palette and warm tones to the image. Nice to have a bit of action in the wings and I also like the angle too. I think you could just drop the highlights in the chest, some parts are a little 'hot' but I think recoverable.

TFS
Steve

[Stu Bowie]

Hi William, good low angle of capture, and good feather detail showing on the far wing. I agree, having the near wing splayed more open would have been a winner. Your repost works well with the removal of the darker strip on top.

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the composition in the OP better, the repost is a little too tight for me up top. I like the details in the far wing and the way the wings frame the head. Good exposure control and sharpness. Very well done William.

[William Dickson]

Thanks for the comments guys :S3: For those wanting the left wing more open here is another image. Thanks for having a look

146455

[Randy Stout]

William:

This one works better for me. The open wing balances better for me, and the better exposure and processing makes the breast look more natural.

Cheers

Randy

[Karl Egressy]

Excellent pose and nice details in the white. The repost is definite improvement. The frame on #11 is nice but I still like the original with the repost the best.

[Satish Ranadive]

Excellent images with spectacular poses. Great details in whites, nicely pops up against dark waters.
Love the frames.

Regards,
Satish.