Juvenile Snow Goose taking a water break.

From my second trip to Snow Goose heaven. Although the numbers were still as impressive I was unlucky with strong winds against my face (light at my back), resulting in geese landing and taking off with their butts towards me. It's OK though as this got me to concentrate on close-ups and regular portraits that I hadn't done the first time around:). Difficult to isolate a single individual, so getting down low (which I would have done anyhow!) and accepting some OOF geese in the BG was the option to stick with most of the time.

Canon 40D + 100-400L @400mm, manual exposure, evaluative metering (histogram checked), 1/1600s., f/7.1, ISO 400, natural light, handheld, small crop above and right (~85% FF)

Daniel:

Excellent exposure, like the dribble, sharp.
I always debate over the double catchlight, one from above and one from reflection. I usually leave them both, but will try both ways (with and without the lower one)

I could see a version with the goose background toned down in brightness a bit.

Glad you got out again, sounds like a tremendous experience.

Cheers

Randy

Hey Dan, tack sharp detail, and I like the drooling water from the beak. Good DOF, and the OOF goose in the BG doesnt distract at all. With regards to the catchlight, I would remove the lower one. :cool:

Nicely composed, neat shot.

Tim

The water trail makes this one for me Daniel excellent detail and the composition works really well.

Hi Daniel, Well composed but it is the water trail that makes the shot.

I think it's agreed that the dribble makes this photo :D
The details are great and it's awesome to see the serrations on the bill.

Well done Daniel! Love the water dribble.

Thanks everyone!

As for the double catchlight, I'm OK with this one because of the head's close proxomity to the water and sunlight makes it apparant the lower catchlight was caused by reflecting off the water.:cool: