Down-the-Barrel Barrow's Goldeneye

[Daniel Cadieux]

This gal is looking rather unimpressed! She was not swimming that fast really, but she was swimming strongly against the current pushing up against her. This species is rare for our parts, but every winter hosts a couple of individuals locally. Never this close though, except on this day where I was all alone with her due to the rain keeping other people indoors. Another reason not to shy away from inclement weather!

Canon 7DII + 500mm f/4 II + 1.4TC III, manual exposure, evaluative metering, 1/200s., f/11, ISO 1600, natural light, handheld, just about FF (cropped after a bit of CW rotation).

[John Mack]

Well this bird does not look happy or impressed as you say. The low angle with the down the barrel look is great. Love the wake in the front.

[Randy Stout]

I like it, and I agree, she doesn't look too impressed with you!
Sharpness held up well with that shutter speed.

The bow wake is great.

Something tells me you came home a bit wet from this outing! I hope your 7DII help up better than your camera the last time we shot together in the rain!

Cheers

Randy

[Ivan Sjogren]

Very well done Daniel! Rainy days can be very productive. I really liked your photos from this series. Here with a rare species too!
The wave infront of the bird is excellent. The photos is perfectly exposed and the details look very good. The samll droplets on the head is also a thing that takes this to the next level. No negatives from me!

[Arthur Morris]

Ditto all the positives above (as we expect from you Daniel :). I believe that blackening the pupil of the bird's right eye a bit would improve this one.

with love, artie

[Bill Dix]

Love the bow wave, POV and fine detail. And the grouchy look. Thanks for sharing this unique look at a rarity.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Thanks guys!

Something tells me you came home a bit wet from this outing! I hope your 7DII help up better than your camera the last time we shot together in the rain!

Yes, that poor 40D dying out on the Florida beach photographing that amazing Tricolored Heron dancing in the lagoon - those bodies were not weather sealed as well as could be! The 7DII has held up well in rain and snow.