Results 1 to 18 of 18

Thread: Lookin For Love

  1. #1
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Rotonda West , FL
    Posts
    3,642
    Threads
    198
    Thank You Posts

    Default Lookin For Love

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    Two days in a row of great shooting. I was speechless when i saw this beauty i could hardly get my gear together without falling in the water again LOL. I saw this bird at the very same spot the day before but he was sleeping with his bill in his feathers. It was still dark when I first spotted him so i assumed it was an oyster catcher and didn't even stop to get out of my car. The next day i returned and there he was same exact spot same exact position. I seriously thought it was dead or something since he never moved so I got out and approached him and almost fell when i saw him come to life and OMG what a killer beauty. I quick ran back to the car and got my gear, waited patiently for the sun to come up yet shooting just in case. The there it was that amazing first light and I fired away. He stayed and preened for a little bit then into the water he went sun in my face. By the time I got my waders halfway up I looked over and there he goes flying away. I am so glad to have gotten to see him and better yet, got the shot. I was told he is a red breasted merganser male in full breeding plumage. Handsome Devil. I cleaned up the beach a little and the little poop he kindly shared with me.

    Camera Model Canon EOS-1D Mark III
    Shooting Mode Manual Exposure
    Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/200
    Av( Aperture Value ) 8.0
    Metering Mode Evaluative Metering
    ISO Speed 800
    Lens EF300mm f/2.8L IS USM +1.4x

  2. Thanks George Cottay thanked for this post
  3. #2
    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    SW Michigan
    Posts
    14,112
    Threads
    820
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Cheryl:

    Great image, fun story, well done.

    Love the spiky hair do stance, environment, exposure and sharpness.

    Looks like he is getting to face a new day.

    The morning light was your friend.

    Well done !!

    Cheers

    Randy
    MY BPN ALBUMS

    "Tact is the art of making a point without making an enemy" Sir Isaac Newton

  4. #3
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Bangalore, India
    Posts
    161
    Threads
    33
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Fantastic pose and some heavenly light here on him! He sure does look ready to breed!! :D

  5. #4
    Roman Kurywczak
    Guest

    Default

    Sweet light and nice pose. HAP will probably get you but I am OK with it. Very nicely done!

  6. #5
    Lifetime Member gail bisson's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Nova Scotia
    Posts
    12,731
    Threads
    910
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Cheryl,
    I think this is a great shot. One hardly ever sees mergansers out of the water so well done to get this shot. I like your nice low angle and the pose of the bird. The light is lovely as well. Good composition. But it is the spiky hairdo that makes this image so nice and fun. It brought a smile to my face so definite bonus points for this. I might try to open up the blacks on his back but otherwise no nits from me,
    Gail

  7. #6
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    central NY
    Posts
    2,414
    Threads
    222
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    What a beautiful bird and beautiful portrait you have here Cheryl. I don't mind HA here. Colors and light are stunning. Wish this were mine. Sure sounds like you're having a great time lately, so good to see. You deserve it after that string of camera misfortunes!

  8. #7
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Stoney Point, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    6,868
    Threads
    512
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Great image Cheryl! I like the hairdo, lighting, low angle and sharpness.

  9. #8
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    New Brighton, UK
    Posts
    568
    Threads
    174
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Cheryl

    I have photographed these birds quite a bit as they gather in the winter on our local marine lake. This is the first time I have seen one out of the water. This is a great looking bird in prime condition , an excellent pose and it really glows in the low sun. You can't ask for more than that :)

    Cheers

    Rich

  10. #9
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Rotonda West , FL
    Posts
    3,642
    Threads
    198
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Roman Kurywczak View Post
    Sweet light and nice pose. HAP will probably get you but I am OK with it. Very nicely done!
    Hi Roman. I first processed the best HA but after looking at this one I noticed it was a sharper face so... I went with it. i still may have a better one as I just did a quick look. Thanks for the comments.

  11. #10
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Long Island, New York
    Posts
    6,275
    Threads
    574
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    He's got swagger and you captured his attitude perfectly.

  12. #11
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Geldern, Germany
    Posts
    3,557
    Threads
    216
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Beautiful and colorful image. Sharp and well composed.

  13. #12
    Super Moderator arash_hazeghi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    San Francisco, California, United States
    Posts
    18,545
    Threads
    1,318
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    what a beauty! love everything here Cherul well done!
    New! Sony Capture One Pro Guide 2022
    https://arihazeghiphotography.com/Gu.../Sony_C1P.html


    ------------------------------------------------
    Visit my blog
    http://www.arihazeghiphotography.com/blog

  14. #13
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Pune, Maharashtra, India
    Posts
    7,409
    Threads
    469
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Sweet image.

  15. #14
    Lifetime Member Marina Scarr's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Sarasota, FL
    Posts
    10,347
    Threads
    403
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Congratulations on finding and capturing this one in such gorgeous light. Just love the hairdo. I really wish I hadn't missed this one. HA works very well for me.
    Marina Scarr
    Florida Master Naturalist
    Website, Facebook

  16. #15
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Mississauga , Ontario
    Posts
    179
    Threads
    15
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Fantastic image and love the light . The details are very nice.

    Carmelo

  17. #16
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Rotonda West , FL
    Posts
    3,642
    Threads
    198
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thanks everybody

  18. #17
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Indian Lake Estates, FL
    Posts
    32,506
    Threads
    1,433
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Other than being a tad bright on my monitor this is killer good. Great detail in the darks and a nicely designed image. And of course, the hairdo is too good.
    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,

    E-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.










  19. Thanks Cheryl Arena Molennor thanked for this post
  20. #18
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    El Paso, TX USA
    Posts
    3,456
    Threads
    162
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Wow!!! Excellent image. Wonderful light, great pose, superb detail, and verg well composed.
    Well done.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics