Western Grebe

Gallery: AvianPosted April 4, 2010141 views22 comments

Western Grebe ( Aechmophorus occidentalis)

Place: Water Ranch, Gilbert, AZ, USA
Date: March 21, 2010
Equipment: Nikon D200, Nikkor AF-S 300/2.8 & TC20E (2x), G1325, RRS BH-55, Sidekick
Exposure: ISO 400, aperture priority matrix metered, 1/400th @ f/9
Raw, PS CS3 on Mac G4, 66% of frame, minor cloning to clean up a few blemishes on the water surface

A companion shot to my previous headshot post. Same bird about 80 frames later.

Please view the larger version if possible before commenting. Honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated.

Comments

22 comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on April 4, 2010 at 8:21 PM

Nothing here that doesn't need to be here, and everything here that does. Well done.

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

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on April 4, 2010 at 8:30 PM

A beauty, Rich. I like the sidelighting and the composition.

Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Moore on April 4, 2010 at 8:34 PM

Both shots are outstanding.

Dan

Registered on February 11, 2010, 143 Posts, 1248 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on April 4, 2010 at 8:42 PM

A fine shot with creative lines

- Luke

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Joel DeYoung on April 4, 2010 at 8:56 PM

Nice job with the minimal composition. I like how the head faces into the frame, and that eye! The reflection helps balance the frame. Well done.

Registered on July 12, 2009, 92 Posts, 1074 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on April 4, 2010 at 9:11 PM

Rich,

This is a beauty, your usual fine techs and use of light is very evident in this image. Very beautiful and appealing image.

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

Comment posted by wade pettitt on April 4, 2010 at 9:33 PM

Richard, great job on exposure and comp. You just gotta love that red eye, Well done!.

Registered on May 6, 2009, 184 Posts, 471 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on April 4, 2010 at 10:18 PM

Nicely done Richard. The monochrome grey water really works with the bird's grey body, white neck and red eye. Perfect head turn makes this for me.

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

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on April 4, 2010 at 10:22 PM

Beautiful, Richard. I'm glad the water reflection is gray-it makes a wonderful palette. A very simple and elegant presentation.

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on April 4, 2010 at 10:29 PM

Nice head turn and comp Richard

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Pete D on April 4, 2010 at 10:50 PM

Have you tried that red eye reduction feature in Photoshop?

Just kidding.

This is a beautiful photograph of this bird. How do you guys know the exact percent of the frame you're showing?

Pete D.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 590 Posts, 1794 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on April 4, 2010 at 11:08 PM

How do you guys know the exact percent of the frame you're showing?

I've explained this on my web site in the "Calculating Crop Percentages" section of digital tips.

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on April 5, 2010 at 1:12 AM

Wonderful composition to this with the head turn and looking toward open water with no distractions. Well done.

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

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on April 5, 2010 at 7:41 AM

Rich, I like the color scheme of this shot. All the grey and whites and blacks and then bang, the red eye. Really makes this a special image IMO. Great water and reflection too. I prefer reflections like this one over perfect mirror images. Nice exposure and great detail in the larger image. Very well done.

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

Comment posted by KC Choo on April 5, 2010 at 9:07 AM

This is very good, Richard.

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on April 5, 2010 at 9:14 AM

Sweet reflection, great exposure and I really like the softness of the water

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by Roy Bailey on April 5, 2010 at 1:17 PM

Simple clean lines very nice and very effective. I like that you can see the feet through the water.

Registered on November 16, 2008, 24 Posts, 486 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on April 5, 2010 at 1:48 PM

I like that you can see the feet through the water.

Indeed. I'm glad somebody finally noticed!

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

Comment posted by May Haga on April 5, 2010 at 3:11 PM

Another gorgeous Western Grebe Richard. Nice reflection, head turn and background.
May

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

Comment posted by Dan Harbour on April 5, 2010 at 6:33 PM

Beautiful reflection. Nice pose, I like your crop with the use of negative space. Excellent.

Registered on January 4, 2008, 113 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on April 6, 2010 at 7:18 PM

Very pleasing comp and pose, Richard. Good headturn.

Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on April 6, 2010 at 10:06 PM

Very, very nice Richard. Very simple composition, great detail and a very pleasing monotone feel to this image. I noticed the feet.

Registered on February 6, 2008, 168 Posts, 3118 Comments