Red-necked Grebe

[kevin Hice]

Shot this Grebe in the Turtle Mountains of Nd close to the Canadian border. The Grebe is somewhat threatened breeds mostly in this area. Turtle Mountains is so different and unique from the rest of Nd. As you leave the plains the escarpment rises up in about five miles. Sort of a micro climate. Aspen and Birch trees with lots of lakes ,
vernal ponds and sloughs. Lots of warblers and waterfowl.Shot at 6:24 sun was still pretty hot. Would have liked some softer light. Took these shots just as I got in the slough only ones presented that evening.Processed with Dpp4,Photoshop.Removed a branch in front of the bird really not noticeable but lots of spots in the water
and artifacts leaving shadows from the trees and moss which look like repairs.Also the whites look like dirty soot. Comments and critiques appreciated.
Canon 1DX 111
500 f/4 L Is
700 mm
Av 6.3
1/3200
Iso 2000

[David Roach]

Sounds like a wonderful place I'd love to visit one day. Love this canvas overall. The water, the pose, colors, framing and details all spot on. TFS

[Brian Sump]

Kevin, if this is hard light you handled it exceptionally well.

The green water with the dark blue bow is stunning in contrast with the orange head and reflection. Love the framing decision here but wonder what would look like to have the Grebe just a bit more into the frame.... you probably played with it quite a bit to land here I'd imagine.

The horizontal shadow line is a bit of a bummer. I wonder if some denoise would help it at all? A really nice capture overall!

[arash_hazeghi]

nice image Kevin, I like the calm water , pretty greens and nice details through a tiny bit of head turn towards us would have been killer I can imagine a tighter crop too

TFS

[Randy Stout]

Kevin:

Very nice, vivid colors, like the blue against the green, soft background.

I would also consider small crop from left, perhaps 15% of the free space, and might after that take a bit off the top as well.

The shadow line that intersects with the birds bill is easily removed or softened.

Sounds like a really interesting spot.

Cheers

Randy

[gail bisson]

Nice low POV and love the green water.
I find the darker green band that intersects with the bill a bit distracting.
Exposure spot on. Bird looks great.
I would take a bit off the left hand side- for me, that is too much empty space.
Gail

[dankearl]

Nice Kevin, I looked up the Turtle mountains, looks like a nice area, a lot of lakes...
A good road trip.

[Bill Dix]

Sounds like a great place to visit if I ever get out that way. Good critiques above. I love the blue bow wave. I would only add that I'd love to see a bit more of the wake on the right and less room in front, if that's possible.

[John Mack]

Love all that green water. The low angle is spot on. The light looks nice to me here. Detail on the bird looks good as well.

[Dorian Anderson]

Great setting, color, and low angle. I do wish the head was angled slightly more towards you, and I agree with more room behind and a bit less ahead. I'm all about clean frames like this, so well done.