Pied-billed of old

[John Chardine]

I was looking through my images from last year (today last year in fact) and I was reminded that my local haunt seems to have far fewer Pied-billed Grebes this year. Haven't had a single chance for one in 2009. They like deeper water and I know the wetland is gradually getting shallower.

Straightened up image, cropped, and ran NR on BG (Noise Ninja) and cleaned the water up.

Comment most welcome!

PS That 40D did pretty well at ISO 1000!

Canon EOS 40D. 500/4 x 1.4tc = 700 mm
capture date: Thursday, 22 May, 2008 7:41 PM
exposure program: Aperture Priority
ISO speed: 1000
shutter speed: 1/250
aperture: f5.6
exposure bias: +0.0
metering: Pattern
flash: OFF - Compulsory flash mode

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I like the mood, details and eye contact. I would crop a bit off the top and increase the color temperature a few degrees.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Ditto Axel. especially raising the colour temp. I find the double eye reflection odd...maybe worth a small fix there. P.S. neat new avatar!

[Juan Aragonés]

I agree about the raising of color temperature and about adding more room at the top John. Very, very sharp and fantastic eye contact :-)

[Linda Robbins]

Beautiful image. Perfect pose and sharp detail. Well done!

[John Chardine]

Many thanks for comments. Here's a warmer version with "a little off the top". I edited the TIFF version in ACR and changed the colour temp there. I noticed that the red channel was starting to blow so eased off this and added a further bit of warmth with a Photo filter- Warming 85 at 25%.

[Linda Robbins]

Now it's perfect!