Horned Grebe, Down-the-barrel.

[Daniel Cadieux]

I got the good fortune to photograph a few individuals of this species last week. It was quite windy and I could see four of them bobbing in and out of view way out into the river, about 200-300 yards away. I decided to try to see if they would respond to calls...well, turns out they have acute hearing all four of them began swimming towards me as soon as the audio came on and gave some fantastic close-up opportunities. Oh, and for the record, I did blink first!

Canon 7D + 500mm f/4 II + 1.4TC, manual exposure, evaluative metering, 1/800s., f/5.6, ISO 800, natural light, handheld while lying between some boulders at the bottom of a jetty, small CW rotation then crop for composition (about 80% FF), eye work to make the red pop more in this dull overcast light condition.

[Dan Busby]

Excellent Daniel. Terrific exposure and detail on the head and those eyes really do pop. I think you found the sweet spot for distance and depth of field - the whole head is pretty much in focus. The centred comp works well with this straight-on pose.

[Bill Dix]

Stunning and unique shot. I love what you can do on these dull light conditions. Glad you were able to extricate yourself from the jetty.

[David N Smith]

Another excellent image Daniel. It is photographers like you that give the desire to go out and try to make myself a better photographer.

David

[dankearl]

Cool stare and pose.
A completely vertical neck would have been killer, but very nice as is.
The DOF works very well.

[Jim Crosswell]

Excellent image Daniel! I like the straight on pose, red eyes, exposure, IQ and composition.

[MohsenVahedipour]

I like this lovely incoming pose & head angle. Excellent IQ, extremely low shooting angle & perfect exposure. TFS

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Daniel, I like the almost monochromatic feel to the image, balanced with the piercing 'pillar box' red of the eyes. I can see where Dan is coming from with regard to a vertical POV, but I like the landscape format although I personally would like to have seen the subject more off set to the left or right. Good sharpness/detail within the head considering it's head on and at f/5.6, thought you may have needed more.

TFS
Steve

[Jonathan Ashton]

Super shot Dan, I like the eyes - distinctive but not OTT, as usual a super angle and exposure.

[Grace Scalzo]

The light was just perfect for this image, allowing the red eyes to pop out. Great work, as is your norm, Daniel.

[shane shacaluga]

Wonderful frontal shot! Love those red eyes and the wet feather details on the breast

Very nicely done

TFS