Here Comes the Sun

[Declan Troy]

Earlier this week the sun peeked above the Barrow AK horizon for the first time in 2010. For those of us with an affinity for the arctic there is hope that spring is on the way. It may be 4 months away but it will come. To commemorate the return of the sun here is a drake Steller's Eider from a summer past.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3479/4025371650_c45b392fd9_o.jpg

20D, iso 400, f8.0, 1/500

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I like the soft light, inclusion of the environment and look-back pose. I might sharpen the bird a bit more.

It's hard to imagine what it is like to have no sunlight for months.

[Arthur Morris]

A little of this and and a little of that for the repost...

[Declan Troy]

I went back and forth as to the placement of the bird in the picture. In my posted version it ended up a bit too centered for my preference but it was a compromise as to how much environment I wanted and what I had to work with in the capture. Not hard to sway me to go much more towards Artie's view (but perhaps not quite so far). Always nice to get a critique from the two of you. Thanks.