I had a bonus 90 minutes to play with on Monday afternoon, so I decided to head to a new spot I had scouted for birds a couple of weeks prior. Well, that was a good decision as I came across a pair of otters that were patrolling the waters! They kept swimming under the thin ice, and every 20 feet or so craking through to take better glances and loud whiffs at me (note the piece of ice still on the head from pushing up with it). Such a fun encounter, and quite an unexpected surprise. :S3:
Canon 7D + 500mm f/4 II + 1.4TC, manual exposure, evaluative metering, 1/2000s., f/5.6, ISO 400, natural light, handheld, cropped for comp, reduced the blue cast in the shadows, lightened the darker shadowed areas, cloned out some extra catchlights on the eye.
11-25-2015, 07:59 PM
Rachel Hollander
Hi Daniel - It's always great to have you post in Wildlife because it is usually something a bit different and this is no exception. Love the pose and the golden light bg. The bit of ice on top of the head takes this up a notch.
TFS,
Rachel
11-26-2015, 03:43 AM
Steve Kaluski
Hi Dan, great to see you posting in this part of the pond.
Love the winter golden light here, albeit a tad harsh I think looking at the highlights on the side creating sting darks & shadows. The inquisitive posture and front paws gripping the ice is lovely. Perhaps a sliver more on the foot, if you have it??? Techs looks spot on, hate to think what you would achieve with the 1DX, nice work and hope to see more.
TFS
Steve
11-26-2015, 03:49 AM
keith mitchell
Dan Rachel's comment covers my thoughts spot on, must have been great watching .
Keith.
11-26-2015, 05:44 AM
Marc Mol
Love the diagonal inquisitive pose here with good winter light, the ice hat is the "cherry on top" for sure Daniel.:w3
TFS
11-27-2015, 02:04 PM
Andreas Liedmann
Hi Daniel i think it always special to get Otter shots , do not know how it is in North america but here in Europe it is not that easy. So you did well in getting this shot .
Like the overall image design and the pose of the Otter is great , stunning colors and good detail .
Agree that the ice on the top of the head is a neat addition .
Well handled lights and shadows .
TFS Andreas
11-29-2015, 12:24 PM
Gabriela Plesea
Hello Daniel,
Great to see you posting here! I now realise I have not shared an image in Avian for some time, I am going to do something about it tonight... I guess the last otter image we saw in this forum was yours!
I really like the pose from the subject... still smiling after having read the bit about the ice on the head!
Lovely colours and tonality. I think you handled the lighting conditions very well, careful PP work reveals good detail in critical areas, sharpness is there in good measure. Enjoyed this very much Daniel, thank you for sharing, super cute otter with lots of character!!!
Warmest regards,
11-30-2015, 08:45 AM
Jonathan Ashton
Very well processed image and I like the composition and colour palette. As mentioned the little ice hat is a nice addition.
12-01-2015, 02:55 PM
Stuart Philpott
Well you know I'm new Dan,plus let it be known I adore the image it's that slight sideways lean i've seen mustelids do when scoping something unusual,I guess having the odd canadian friend most would fit the bill as being unusual:w3. So with a wonderful colour palette an enchanting subject superbly taken,here is the new guy's question: Daniel could or would it be possible to brighten the in shade right eye( as I look) at your stunning image if it is ,as I've already said i've barely explored post yet.
Ahh mate it's a wonderful picture i've only seen our native species once,a wonderful encounter this image would be prized highly if mine very highly prized
Take care
Stu
12-01-2015, 07:41 PM
Daniel Cadieux
Hey guys, thanks!
Gabriela, this is the first time I post an otter - although I did post a Mink earlier this summer. They are both part of the weasel family :-)
Stu, yes, that would be a viable option. At the very least the highlights in the shaded eye could certainly go brighter.
12-05-2015, 06:24 AM
haseeb badar
Hi Daniel -- Lovely image and always love to see your posts on this forum. Lovely pose and the ice on its head is like Icing on the cake . superb image , would love to see more of you on the wildlife forum.
TFS !