Balancing Brant.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Not sure what happened here, but it was rather windy that day and I suspect it got caught up in a gust that threw it momentarily off-balance. In any regards, it gave me a great look at the wing pattern that these guys keep mostly tucked in as they graze on grasses.

Canon 7DII + 500mm f/4 II + 1.4TC III, manual exposure, evaluative metering, 1/500s., f/5.6, ISO 800, natural light, handheld, small crop to help the comp, cloned out part of a dark tree trunk creeping in at upper left edge.

[annmpacheco]

Wow this is such a beautiful image Daniel, way to go. Wonderful to catch those wings up on this juvenile (white tipped feathers). Also, i like the snow and grass and the soft BG. POV is great and the head turn makes this brant so engaging. Well done Dan.

[Isaac Grant]

Not easy at all to make an interesting Brant image and you have really done well here. We have them wintering in my area in the tens of thousands but they are very hard to photograph. Super job Dan!

[John Mack]

Looking good. Like the low angle and the pose. The snow and grass look pretty neat.

[greg cowle]

Great low POV, I like the view of the wings.

[Dorian Anderson]

Nice exposure and feather detail. Minimal amount of action helps the frame, as does the dusting of snow.

[Arthur Morris]

Sweet as noted above. Soft light and interesting BKGR. Does anyone know for sure if this is a young bird?

with love, artie

[Daniel Cadieux]

Thanks all!

Ann did indicate this is a juvenile, due to the white on the wings, and I do not disagree...but I always thought juvies did not have the white neck mark. Perhaps an advanced age young one having the best of both worlds :-)

[William Dickson]

Very nice Dan. It looks so natural in this habitat. Fab POV as usual with lovely detail on the bird. Cool image.

Will