Common Goldeneye

Gallery: AvianPosted December 8, 2009204 views19 comments

I figured it was about time I posted something other than a harrier so yesterday we went down to a local pond expecting to find only the usual Pied-billed grebes and coots. We were surprised by the presence of this lone female goldeneye and she even came fairly close to us for a few minutes.

The pond was a hodgepodge of bright and dark reflections with patches of snow on the banks, mixed with groups of reeds as background. As a result, reflections and exposure requirements were an ever changing challenge.

7D, 1/2000, f/7.1, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, tripod down low on bank, cropped to 50% of original image

Comments/critique appreciated

Comments

19 comments

Comment posted by Nick Saunders on December 8, 2009 at 6:17 PM

Exposure here is great Ron, and this a real nice close-up of this female with bonus reflection. The large version really shows the detail on the face .

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

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on December 8, 2009 at 6:27 PM

Absolutely perfect, Ron! I love the water, the waves and ripples, the fine details—actually, everything about this image!

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on December 8, 2009 at 6:32 PM

Ron, great bonus to find this goldeneye at your pond. Great job on the exposure. Very sharp and I really like the water and reflection. In fact, I really, really like the water. I wish I had a goldeneye image this good. Heck, I wish I had a goldeneye image period. Very well done.

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

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on December 8, 2009 at 7:05 PM

You did very well especially considering you were were working with a lone duck. Very nice detail even with the crop! I like the frontlighting very much and you even got a catchlight.

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

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on December 8, 2009 at 8:29 PM

I like this a lot. I can't get close to the goldeneyes when they show up here around Phoenix and I'd be thrilled with this opportunity and this result. I really like the complex colors reflected in the water surfaced.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on December 8, 2009 at 10:14 PM

Sweet detail in the Goldeneye and beautiful water, Ron.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Twaddell on December 8, 2009 at 10:17 PM

Beautiful image, Ron. I am wondering if it might be a tad bit oversharpened, with those sparkles on the end of the feathers?

Registered on August 16, 2007, 199 Posts, 2132 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Spiecker on December 9, 2009 at 12:48 AM

Like many of the others, I would love to get this close to a Goldeneye. You have produced a beautiful shot with the lovely water, reflection and great detail here. Nicely done Ron.

Registered on March 23, 2006, 366 Posts, 4649 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on December 9, 2009 at 5:16 AM

Beautiful shot, Ron. The look of the water and the unusual reflection really make this shot special.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on December 9, 2009 at 6:10 AM

Nice detail and head turn Ron. The blotchy nature of the water/background complements the
the dark and light plumage.

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Michael Ramos on December 9, 2009 at 8:07 AM

Ron,Another well done Image! Congrats on getting this goldeneye for a 50% crop the 7D is giving you great results,expecially in the large view.

Registered on December 24, 2008, 43 Posts, 281 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Binda on December 9, 2009 at 11:49 AM

there cute Ron, I'd settle for a shot like this any time.

Registered on September 8, 2007, 56 Posts, 326 Comments

Comment posted by David Sparks on December 9, 2009 at 4:21 PM

Beautiful water and bird well-captured. I don't think I've ever had this good a look at a Goldeneye. Your spot-on exposure really allows an excellent view of the intricacy of the plumage. I love the golden eye and dark head, with the nice head turn.

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

Comment posted by David Williams on December 9, 2009 at 4:29 PM

Beautifully done, Ron. We have had a lot of them passing through, but even the river is frozen up now with the super cold, so not much available.......must be all coming your way now.

Registered on March 8, 2005, 315 Posts, 2291 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on December 9, 2009 at 9:49 PM

love it, Ron. great detail and the water texture, especially at lower right, is wonderful.

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on December 10, 2009 at 9:43 AM

Wonderful shot, I like the subtle colors and the water effect. Well done.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on December 10, 2009 at 4:58 PM

The duck looks fantastic here Ron, I like most of the bg but the bright strip on the right border catches my attention and is a small distraction to me but if you cropped closer you'd be too tight so your presentation is spot on.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on December 10, 2009 at 5:04 PM

Water colour and light patches work well with this image. Lovely duck.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on December 10, 2009 at 6:11 PM

Ron,

You already know I think the water in this image is fantastic, I like how it contains the brown tones present in the goldeneye and has some of the darks, the silver colors and whites present in the duck's plumage too.

Love the low angle, the great reflection, details, sharpness, light and composition. This image shows the duck's golden eye in a wonderful way too.

Excellent & appealing image.

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