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This Grebe has a different way to dive under the water, as he really jumps out of the water before diving under.
I realize this image would have been stronger if I managed to get the eye before it went under but still....
1DX 500F4+TC x1.4 1/1250 F8 ISO1000
All c&c welcomed.
Attachment 139935
Love it. I've been trying to get a good dive shot like this for ages without success. All I ever get is the ripple or its tail.
Stellar work Danny with the low angle, hole in the water, sense of motion, wonderful reflection and lovely canvas.
Great stuff! I too have been failing miserably for years trying to get this !
Lovely water suface too.
Cheers
John
Angle, timing, reflection and pose all work beautifully here Danny! Yes, some eye would have placed this from the exceptional category to the award-winning category. Mind you, as is I would probably enter it into a prominent competition as they often look for "something different to the norm/expected" :w3
Excellent photo all around. I do think the symmetry of the image's main elements calls out for more room at the bottom (some might say there should be an equivalent amount of space top and bottom).
John
Cracker image Danny!
Beautiful image Danny.
A memorable bird image without the eyes visible is rare and you've nailed this one.
You could argue the timing is not quite right but I would suggest it is - I have never seen an image like this and so sharp too - excellent!
Danny ticks all the boxes for me, superb image.
Fantastic moment captured with beautiful IQ. Love the reflection.
Regards,
Satish.
What a treat! I've been trying for this shot myself, but never managed to get it (always a bit slow on the trigger). Did you find an indication of when he would be making the dive?
For this shot, I think a bit faster SS may have helped you out. It's such quick action that I think you are getting a small amount of motion blur. Either way, a stunning capture
Thank you all for the warm comments.
Morkel, To be honest, Im still torn about this image, yeah some part of me likes the capture but on the other hand, I think its more of a missed image than anything else
as Im missing the eye.
But then again I keep changing my mind about it.
Miguel, I think a faster SS would have gotten me the eye in...guess I'll have to find this specific Grebe in hopes he does the behavior again.
Not an easy task when considering there are roughly 30 more Grebes in the same pond.
As for your question, then yeah I did notice a slight change in the feathers, as the Grebe tightens the feathers just before the dive.
This is NO missed image. This is a winner. Many don't realize that capturing the eye with this behavior is one of the most difficult images to capture in terms of timing. I still don't have one myself. :( While the image with the eye is the one I have been pre-visualizing, this image is very powerful. The calm water, reflection and water drops add so much. Well done. You can always capture another winner with the eye. I think Miguel made a good point about trying a higher speed.
Love the floating drops. Fine job.
What a image ,
What a moment you catch he is magnificent , i love action here, the light is top notch.
I agree with what Marina above said.
For me, it's extremely difficult to judge the behaviour when it is about to happen. From my limited experience with our Aussie grebes they do it unexpectedly, not unlike many ducks, which will often dive under fully head first before flapping their wings. In that case we can anticipate the flapping.
With these little grebes it is hit and miss and perhaps just shooting at high frames when we feel they may do it would perhaps work. I think why you missed the eye is more like your reaction time to press the shutter when you realized what's happening. A faster shutter speed wouldn't have helped I think.
The sharpness is perfect as is the action. I absolutely love this shot. Well done for even getting it. Having the eye is not the be all end all in this image for me.
Great job Danny. Not easy is for sure and I have tried over the years with many diving ducks and greebs, but still dont have one that I love yet. The clear water and the drops really make this one special.
Well done.
