This Clark's Grebe had just danced with a female and was trying to impress her. I was set up on the bank of the lake taking dancing shots when he came towards me. I took my camera off of the tripod and balanced it on a clump of grass as close to the water as I could without getting the lens in the water. I wish there was more detail in the blacks but felt I had to expose for the whites on this sunny morning.
Photo taken on Upper Klamath Lake in May.
Nikon D3S, 500mm plus 1.7 converter
ISO 800, 1/1000 sec, F13
Love the raised crest. It's great that you got both pupils visible. Had the bird been looking directly at you the image would have been even more powerful. I am fine with the crop; an option would be a bit more off the right to a near-SQ. EXP and SH right on.
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I absolutely love this image. I've never seen a pose quite like this one, and those eyes are amazing. I love the calm of the water and clean BG, and the bird just pops.
What a spectacular shot, Laurie! Love everything about this. Would be interested to see it as a squarish crop like Artie suggests. But fine as is too. What a special capture this is.
One little thing to mention is your copyright signature, might be nice to see it a tad smaller as I think it's a little distracting as is.
Like the repost. Here, for comparison, is a similar. (I hope that I do not ruffle any feathers.)
BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.
BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.
Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,
Thanks Laurie. I love your lower perspective; I was in my car at Bear River in Utah.
BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.
BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.
Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,
Hi Laurie, I really like your low perspective, and the head on capture has worked out very well that we can see both eyes. Furthermore, the eyes stand out nicely against the pastel blue of the water.
I would love to have a shot at this one myself. I love those red eyes great low angle and dof.. Neat head angle and ruffled top. I think I prefer the repost as well.