Clark's Grebe w/ chick

Gallery: AvianPosted October 4, 2009245 views19 comments

Here's an image from a couple of years ago taken at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge that I recently reprocessed. Both Western and Clark's Grebes had chicks. After initially swimming away after I sat down on the edge of Malheur Lake they gradually returned closely enough for me to photograph. This is about 60% of FF.

20D 500F4 1.4X 1/3200 F9, iso 400, evaluative metering -1, Handheld

Comments

19 comments

Comment posted by S Govindarajan on October 4, 2009 at 12:07 PM

Sweet image, Nate! The inquisitive expression and stretched neck of the chick are delightful. I like the DOF and the way both he grebes are look to their right.

Registered on April 19, 2008, 115 Posts, 1921 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on October 4, 2009 at 12:31 PM

This is so cool! I love the pose of the chick which brings its head out of the shadows. The larger version shows great detail and nice exposure on the whites. Very nice! Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on October 4, 2009 at 1:22 PM

Nate, I believe this is the best image I have seen from you and I have seen some very nice shots. Of course, I have an affinity for waterbirds and this is just wonderful. What a great scene this is. The larger version just puts you right there with the birds. I love the low angle and the choppy water just adds a ton to the energy of the image. The chick's pose is super with great eye contact and catchlight. Mom is great too and all nice and sharp.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Karon Welter on October 4, 2009 at 2:12 PM

What an awesome shot! Love the way both are looking the same direction. Wonderful capture!

Registered on November 10, 2008, 67 Posts, 543 Comments

Comment posted by Monica Siri on October 4, 2009 at 2:27 PM

GREAT!! What can I add?

Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments

Comment posted by Sally King on October 4, 2009 at 2:49 PM

It looks like that baby may slip off. Great water with all that texture. Love the interaction of the two birds and their similar headturns.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on October 4, 2009 at 3:13 PM

wow--this is a neat shot. I love the leaning angle of the chick which creates some dynamic tension, as well as the double head turn. really nice texture and exposure on the ruffled neck of the adult--thanks for including the techs on the exposure (including the metering mode).

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Terry Sohl on October 4, 2009 at 5:21 PM

What a great pose by the pair! Love how it looks like they're scrutinizing something, and that little guy is precious.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 513 Posts, 6889 Comments

Comment posted by David Sparks on October 4, 2009 at 5:21 PM

What a terrific shot. I echo all the other positive comments. The dark background and wonderful light add a lot too, and of course the eyes!

Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on October 4, 2009 at 5:59 PM

Nice one Nate - like the wind ripples on the water and the inquisitive look from the youngster.

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on October 4, 2009 at 6:48 PM

Clark's are hard; serious props for just getting this close. I like that both birds are looking the same way. The bird stands out nicely from the dark blue water. Very nice.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Mason on October 5, 2009 at 2:00 PM

It's the chick that makes this image for me - hilarious how it is stretching to get a better view of whatever they are looking at.

Registered on December 14, 2005, 399 Posts, 2305 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Saunders on October 5, 2009 at 2:44 PM

Lovely image Nate. I can't recall ever seeing a Clarke's Grebe chick being posted here..?

Registered on February 6, 2008, 321 Posts, 3035 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on October 5, 2009 at 2:54 PM

Love it. Love the lighting and the colors. Like that both the adult and the chick are facing the same direction.

May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on October 5, 2009 at 6:16 PM

Very cute Nate!

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on October 5, 2009 at 10:54 PM

Wonderful character in these guys, that chick looks really curious!

Registered on December 19, 2008, 306 Posts, 4840 Comments

Comment posted by Graham Brown on October 6, 2009 at 6:31 AM

Very nice composition Nate, i like the way you've given room around the birds to show the water ripples. Exposure looks good giving fine detail in the whites. Nice expression on the birds faces maybe there's food on the way. Graham

Registered on November 20, 2007, 275 Posts, 1365 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on October 6, 2009 at 11:56 PM

I really like the way the youngster is leaning off the starboard side. The similar poses are great and I like the dark water backdrop for their lighter coloration. Well done as usual.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Backlund on October 7, 2009 at 10:16 PM

I like how they are both looking the same direction. You had tough lighting here, but it looks great.

Registered on September 29, 2005, 252 Posts, 3380 Comments