GeeseLakeOntario Repost

Gallery: AvianPosted May 13, 201074 views8 comments

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)

While walking along the shore of Lake Ontario near Toronto, I quite suddenly came upon this family of Canada Geese. I stopped while the parents very quickly led their goslings into the lake. I was impressed by the strict discipline they all showed even in the face of a stormy, large lake. Pests though they are, I couldn't resist posting this image of these gutsy little fellows.

After experimenting with various crops, the pano crop seemed most appealing here. I think it’s because, even though it abbreviates the vastness of the lake, it lets us focus more on the birds and leaves the lake that they face to our imagination.

All comments very welcome.

EOS 7D, EF400 mm f/5.6: ISO 400, 1/500 s, f/7.1, image is 4638 pixels x 1739 pixels=8 MP or 45% of the 18 MP of the 7D. No noise reduction, some sharpening.

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Dan Harbour on May 13, 2010 at 10:50 PM

I like the behavioral aspects of the image, with the chicks following the parents but worried about the waves. The photo makes me wonder about the small chicks hitting those waves and how they fared. I think you made the right choice with the pano crop.

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

Comment posted by Monica Siri on May 14, 2010 at 9:52 AM

Steve,
I like this image a lot. The pano crop seems perfect to me. I love the doubtful look of the babies towards the waves. Really nice!

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

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on May 14, 2010 at 6:45 PM

Super sweet! Great dof and i like the pano

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

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on May 15, 2010 at 12:30 AM

Nice family portrait, Steve. I like your choice of crop, and the waves coming in add a lot of interest.

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

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on May 15, 2010 at 10:23 PM

Steve, I wish the lead goose's head wasn't obscured, but in some ways that adds to the drama of the waves. I like how some of the goslings are looking at the incoming wave. I think maybe a little more room on the right would be nice.

My wife just added "that's really f-ing cute! those little ones are saying 'it's cold and wavey, we're gonna drown!'"

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

Comment posted by Steve Balke on May 16, 2010 at 8:37 AM

Thank you, everyone. I really like this image too. For those of you concerned about the chicks: they did just fine. They travelled by pair in column formation and made good headway. A little later they were up the coast about a quarter mile, on shore, nosing around for goodies in the pebbles.

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

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on May 16, 2010 at 9:24 AM

Steve,

I like the story this images tells and how it appears the goslings are hesitating just a bit. I like the pano crop a lot, but I wonder if a little more space on the right side of the frame might make the composition more effective.

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

Comment posted by Steve Balke on May 16, 2010 at 11:51 AM

Repost : More Room in Front
I can see the “more room in front” movement is gaining momentum. So, despite my satisfaction with the image as posted, here goes. The geese are smaller (because the width of the posted image is fixed). However, I must admit that the composition does look better. Thank you so much Brian and Mia for the suggestion.

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