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Thread: Pied-billed Grebe.

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    Super Moderator Daniel Cadieux's Avatar
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    Default Pied-billed Grebe.

    My first worthwhile images of an adult breeding plumaged Pied-billed Grebe (I got several young ones last summer). Quite cooperative as a nest is quite close to shore of a local urban (and busy with people) pond. In hindsight I would remove the angled reed and its reflection touching the grebe's head but I rather like the habitat elements included in the image, as it was my intention for this one.

    P.S. Looks like it needs rotation, but bill-tip to reflected bill-tip is a straight line...

    Canon 40D + 100-400L @400mm, manual exposure, evaluative metering (metered on water, +2 stops), 1/400s., f/7.1, ISO 400, natural light, handheld, about 80% full frame.


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    Cool reflection. This would surely have been an exposure challenge for me; you did great. I like the habitat included, especially how the reed and it's reflection frame the left side of the image. Curious if cropping a bit from the right to get the one long reed top to bottom frame the right side would work.
    For some reason, the first slanted reed north-east of the bird distracts me.

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    Hi Daniel,
    Grebes are on my favorites list so I'm glad to see your post. I like the perfect reflection, the great detail, the included habitat and the color of the water. I agree with your thought about removing the angled reed.
    Regards,
    Katie

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    Killer reflection. Like how it shows the habitat.
    Great exposure technique.

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    BPN Member Tony Whitehead's Avatar
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    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    Lovely pose and sharp reflection, Dan. I love the OOF reeds with their reflections framing the grebe. Agree on angled reed. Wondering about darkening down the water a little - had a quick and dirty try with Viveza to illustrate my thoughts.
    Tony Whitehead
    Visit my blog at WildLight Photography for latest news and images.

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    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    Daniel:

    Very nice. My first thought when viewing, besides cool, was that the water was too bright. So, I vote with Tony, tone down the water. Actually, the entire image could go 2/3 stop or so less exposure, which would accomplish much the same thing.

    Nice that you were able to get in so close. Perfect shooting angle for your reflection.

    Cheers

    Randy
    Last edited by Randy Stout; 05-23-2010 at 08:19 PM.

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Lovely close up of the little guy Dan, and the stillness of the water has created a perfect reflection. Good sharp detail, and I would tend to agree that Tony's toned down repost works well.

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    Perfect reflection. Good detail...Nice one Daniel

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    Daniel, I havent been able to get that close to this bird( rather this bird has never got that close to me :-) Loved the composition a lot.

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    Dan very nice image. I really like the habitat feel of this one and the low angle. It's amazing with all the open water near the nest that it's so hard to get and unobstructed view of these birds, especially with the chicks.

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