Results 1 to 10 of 10

Thread: This Grebe is Upset

  1. #1
    BPN Member Paul Lagasi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Bells Corners, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    5,316
    Threads
    642
    Thank You Posts

    Default This Grebe is Upset

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    I recently was in Toronto's Humber Bay Park seeing if the Red-necked Grebes were nesting. It is very difficult in my neck of the woods, to see these birds up close. Usually our views are far out in the Ottawa River and only when they are passing through on migration. I had never seen Red-necked Grebes when they raise their ear tufts, didn't even know they could.

    Most of the grebes in Humber Park had already nested and were sitting on eggs, so those I left alone but I found a pair that were nest building and I tried to get close. As I neared one of them, began getting very excited by my nearness and started calling a threatened me. I took a series of images of both birds. The one below was from about 8 feet away full frame. You have to love it when you can get 49 meg of image, full frame.

    I lightened up the heavy shadows and processed it using Nik Color Effects Pro 3, I used low key but then found it to dark, so I brightened it up a bit.

  2. #2
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Toronto, Canada
    Posts
    8,458
    Threads
    682
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I like the head on stare, and the raised tufts. That must have been something to witness. Do they have red eyes? Looks like the Tamron 150-500mm is working out for you!

  3. Thanks Paul Lagasi thanked for this post
  4. #3
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Santa Rosa, CA
    Posts
    9,587
    Threads
    401
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Very cool! I'd go in and really lighten those eyes. Maybe it's upset about being photographed on a bad hair day.

  5. Thanks Paul Lagasi thanked for this post
  6. #4
    BPN Member Cheryl Slechta's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Micanopy, Florida
    Posts
    8,383
    Threads
    841
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi, Paul, pied billed grebes do that hair thing and I've gotten some funny shots of them. I've never seen this species but he's very cute. I really like the color combination with the rust colored feathers and the turquoise water.

  7. Thanks Paul Lagasi thanked for this post
  8. #5
    Lifetime Member Michael Gerald-Yamasaki's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Santa Cruz, CA USA
    Posts
    2,035
    Threads
    311
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Paul,

    Greetings. I like the head on interaction and the symmetry of the shot (good for the past theme of breaking the rule of thirds). I detect a halo around the head, diminishing but there down to the water. Thanks for posting.

    Cheers,

    -Michael-

  9. Thanks Paul Lagasi thanked for this post
  10. #6
    BPN Member Paul Lagasi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Bells Corners, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    5,316
    Threads
    642
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    Thanks Folks for comments...Michael, I think the halo is from the Nik Color Effect I used. I lightened up the eyes as much as I could before details were lost.
    Last edited by Paul Lagasi; 06-30-2014 at 03:11 AM.

  11. #7
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Posts
    2,162
    Threads
    668
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    An upset grebe is a terrible thing to see... Nice pic though!

  12. #8
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Russellville, Arkansas
    Posts
    5,189
    Threads
    674
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I am a big fan of this "head-on" look as it always conveys some sort of visible attitude and gives the critter some character! The ear tufts are very cool. I am also a big fan of visiting parks where the birds and animals are at least somewhat habituated to the activity of people and allow close-ups such as this one. What a treat! What if you totally erased the effects from the eyes? I wonder if that would make them more visible. I would also experiment with bringing back the details on the edges of the lower beak, so they do not blend into the chin. The non-symmetrical swirls of water add a nice element of tension to the perfectly placed symmetrical view of the grebe.

  13. #9
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    West Nottingham, PA, USA
    Posts
    7,038
    Threads
    427
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    The repost with lighter eyes is my choice. You captured the angry attitude of this bird. I like the head on shot, the centered image, the water swirl. Nancy makes some good suggestions.

  14. #10
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Santa Rosa, CA
    Posts
    9,587
    Threads
    401
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I like the lightened eyes. You should be able to hold detail (to some extent) as you lighten if you hold down the dark tones, or increase contrast.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics