Common Mergansers

Gallery: AvianPosted December 13, 2009137 views8 comments

While paddling along the Kinzua Reservoir in Western Pennsylvania last year, I came across these mergansers sunning themselves on a log. Made several images, the lighting was a little harsh and I could not get a different angle. Just liked the "ready for takeoff " look.
Janet
Comments appreciated

Canon 40D
1/250 @ 5.6
Cropped
100-400 IS Lens-Canon
@ 400

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Michael Twaddell on December 13, 2009 at 11:39 AM

Nice poses from these gals, Janet. I think that it would be more powerful if you cloned out the two just watching, if you were so inclined.

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

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on December 13, 2009 at 1:20 PM

I really like the poses of the 3 birds Janet, I'd crop a little from the top to remove the oof bank there, I think it would emphasize the birds there. Some fill flash might have helped soften the harsh light.

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

Comment posted by Monica Siri on December 13, 2009 at 1:46 PM

Nice composition and funny pose of these Mergs, Janet.

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

Comment posted by Ákos Lumnitzer on December 13, 2009 at 3:21 PM

As per Nate, and I would crop a little from the bottom too and make it a real pano. Midday light is not kind to us, but not worth fussing over to not take an image. IOW take them when you can.

I love the poses!

Registered on April 24, 2004, 25 Posts, 510 Comments

Comment posted by Carrie O'Brien-Sib on December 13, 2009 at 4:00 PM

oh so cute, Janet! I love this image!

Registered on August 4, 2009, 149 Posts, 889 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on December 13, 2009 at 8:03 PM

Agree about the comp suggestions Janet and those synchronized poses are to kill for.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on December 14, 2009 at 1:21 AM

The light is a little bit harsh but I think you handled it very well, shadows aren't too deep, no real blown highlights and good colors. The log has a lot of character and the lineup of mergansers is great. They must have been content in the sun, they usually take off fairly readily for me.

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

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on December 14, 2009 at 6:53 AM

How fun to get them all lined up like this!

I think you handled the light well and I love the tones in this image. I think Nate's suggestion to make this a pano is well worth the try and would make a stronger composition by putting more focus on the birds, less on the background.

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