Western Grebes in early light.

[kevin Hice]

Took this at a local slough here in Nd. I did not need this high of shutter or ISO. This is very deceiving as they swim between two lakes and just a few feet away is a fast moving current with dark background. One second against a dark background and the next right in front you in still open water .
Almost on top of you. Any one that has shot these guys know what I am speaking of the continually dive. I have had them so close can't focus or cut off the reflection.I am also having a hard time blowing out the whites on the neck. Seems like they turn just a little and get terrible high lights.
Processed in Dpp4,Photoshop background with neat image. On the subject even at 30 percent degraded the bird.
Thanks for comments and critiques.
Canon 5D Mark 1V
500 f/4 L IS
700 mm
AV 5.6
4000
ISO 2000

[dankearl]

The exposure looks good to me, look like nice light.
Did you isolate one? I am not a big fan of OOF bg birds this large.
The left bird looks very nice, nice HA (they tend to swim straight ahead and then just plunk!).
I like the pink strip at the top.

[John Mack]

Nice light with a nice low angle. Like the juxtaposition with the bird in focus and the out of focus one.

[David Roach]

Love the light and the juxtaposition... TFS