Theme: Eared Grebe Portrait

[Aidan Briggs]

I made this image by sneaking up on the grebe as it would dive underwater. Eventually it popped up right next to me. Taken while laying on several large rocks at the edge of the shore. The lightness and versatility of the 100-400 mm lens was much appreciated here.

Flash used as fill.

50D, 100-400 at 400mm
1/200 sec, f/5.6, ISO 640

[Troy Lim]

Great flash work...love the shot.

[Jim Fenton]

Cool image and I love the way that the bird is riding into a little wave.

Killer eye, sharpness is right on.

Maybe it's just my eyes, but would this look better if the water were a hair darker?

[Aidan Briggs]

Thanks Troy and Jim.

Jim, I think you are right about the water. Thanks!

[Bob Malbon]

Aidan, Nice work getting this moment in time! I am thinking the eye should be more red? Bob

[arash_hazeghi]

nice pose and low angle, I am not sure about the comp with the clipped tail and contrast looks flat on my screen.

[Aidan Briggs]

Hey Bob, this was the actual color of the eye. Some of them had more orange than red eyes.

Arash: here is a version with the whole bird if you prefer that comp.

[arash_hazeghi]

I think a pano crop with a bit more room on the right will work best here, this one has much nicer BG too.