Western Grebe Yawn

[Mike Milicia]

EOS-1D Mk II, 500mm f/4L, 1/2000, f/5.6, ISO 200
About 60% of Full Frame

I've been reprocessing some older RAW files to take advantage of the latest version of ACR.
This one is from Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge in May 2007 and I don't think I've posted it here before.

Looking forward to your comments and critiques!

[Adams Serra]

Hi Mike,
Good looking bird and great BG and FG colors. I also like the reflection.

[Marina Scarr]

Mike: This capture is outstanding. I agree on the 2nd catchlights which need to be removed the the rotation. That aside, bird photography doesn't get much better than this. Your BG is outstanding. You did a great job exposing for the blacks and the whites. The bird's open beak just puts it over the top for me.

[Mike Milicia]

Thanks for your comments and suggestions!

Here's a repost which removes the second catchlight (which I believe came off of the water) and rotates the image to align the bird's pupil with the pupil in the reflection.
Is it me or does it now look like the water is sloped down to the left?

[Suzanne Huot]

Makes for a most interesting image with the captured yawn and reflection seen here

[Steve Maxson]

A very cool image, Mike, and the big yawn makes it special. I would agree with you that in the repost the ripples around the bird are now running downhill to the left - I think the rotation in the original version was correct. Though the second catchlight in the eye (and reflection) is natural and is coming off the water, I think the repost looks better without it. You might consider cloning some of the spectral highlights on the bird and reflection near the waterline. Well done.

[subramanya_ck]

The wide open mouth is adding a lot to the beauty of this picture. Low angle of shot is very appropriate. You have composed the picture well to include the reflection.... Overall, a very nice image

[arash_hazeghi]

Very cool, excellent SH, EXP, BG and open beak adds up to that.

[Jim Fenton]

Beautiful subject and background Mike.

Repost looks better...sharpening and exposure are excellent.

[Arthur Morris]

I actually like color in the second one better; it looks less SAT. Love the calling pose. Connecting the eye with the eye reflection can sometimes lead you astray as the water can distort. So yes, the repost looks a little downhill.