Great Crested Grebe

[Rich Steel]

Hi

I recently photographed some Great Crested Grebes on a local fishing lake. The birds were not doing any of their interesting display but the lack of action was made up for by great light and water colours. Unfortunately the lake has now been lost as a site for photography as a group of 6 'photographers' subsequently decended on the place and chased the birds all around the lake causing distress to the birds and great annoyance to the lake owner. He has now banned all photographers and bird watchers from the lake. A local site lost due to the mindless actions of some idiots who are more concerned about trophy shots than the welfare of their subject. Such incidents seem to be increasing in frequency and I believe are mainly caused by photographer visitng from outside the area but which is sadly is also giving local bird photographers a bad name. I have been doing my best to try and rebuild relationships with the local bird watching organiations but it is difficult when these mindess acts of distressing birds keep occurring.

Photo taken with a 1DMKIV with 500mm lens and 1.4TC at ISO 250 F8 at 1/640s.

Cheers

Rich

[Tom Rambaut]

Pity about the lose of access. Love the low angle and soft light - would like a tiny bit more head turn towards us.

[christopher galeski]

nice image,like the light and water droplets,nice low angle,is it the light,the end of beak looks a bit faded.still a very nice image well done.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Super shot Rich, love the water droplets.
I know the venue you refer to, I originally went there at the beginning of March, had a word with the "bailiff" to ask permission but didn't get the chance to speak to the owner. In view of what you said there will be no point in my returning. BTW the fields around there are good for stonechats.

[Rich Steel]

Thanks for the comments.

Christopher, the end of the bill is as it is on the raw file and just how it is on this particular bird.

Jonathon, we to got permission too but the 'mob' that descended on the place obviously didn't with the end result being photography now banned at the site.


Cheers

Rich

[arash_hazeghi]

excellent low angle, pose details and light. too bad they did this, hope you van find them elsewhere

[Bill Dix]

Gorgeous soft light, water and bg. A very painterly feeling to it. Too bad about the venue.

[Stan Cunningham]

Agree with all the above, you "nailed" it.

[gail bisson]

Excellent IQ and love the colors in the BG. Good call on the panorama crop as well,
Gail

[Frank Schauf]

Great picture, nice deep shooting position in front of a perfect backdground.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Rich, lovely low angle, and you have really brought out the detail and colours so well. The droplets on the back puts this up a notch.

Sorry to hear about not being able to get back there. Unfortunately, there will always be someone that messes things up for others - no matter what it is.

[dankearl]

Sorry to hear about the closure.
The photo is gorgeous. great angle and a beautiful subject.

[Robert Holguin]

Wow!!! Excellent shot. Love the light, superb low angle, great pose, and I really like the water drops on its back.
Well done.

[Rich Steel]

Many thanks for the comments . It is shame about the loss of the site but at least the birds will be protected from the idiots.