Eared Grebe

Gallery: AvianPosted December 26, 2010129 views16 comments

Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis)

Place: Water Ranch, Gilbert, AZ
Date: October 27, 2010
Equipment: Nikon D200, Nikkor AF-S 300/2.8 & TC20E (2x), G1325, RRS BH-55, Sidekick
Exposure: ISO 400, aperture priority matrix metered, 1/640th @ f/8, -1/3rd ev comp
Raw, PS CS3 on Mac G4, about 2/3rds of frame

A companion shot to a previous post here 2 months ago.

Larger image provided for critical viewing. Honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated.

Comments

16 comments

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on December 26, 2010 at 4:42 PM

I think the reflection of the neck and head is really great -- you even have not only the water drop but the droplets in the reflection.

Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on December 26, 2010 at 4:46 PM

Sweet! Not much else to say. Very well done.

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

Comment posted by Rob Graham on December 26, 2010 at 9:17 PM

well done, Richard. I like the droplets and the reflections of everything. Not sure if it needs a fraction of a counter clockwise rotation or not.

Registered on August 22, 2006, 842 Posts, 2824 Comments

Comment posted by Sally King on December 26, 2010 at 10:31 PM

I agree with Barbara. That reflection is amazing. I have seen these guys before and can never get anywhere near close to them. I have a great appreciation that you were able to.

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

Comment posted by Steve Balke on December 26, 2010 at 10:43 PM

That eye is a real attention grabber, Richard. Nice shot: fine detail and setting. The plant in its mouth is a nice touch too.

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

Comment posted by Jeff Loomis on December 27, 2010 at 12:07 AM

I agree on all points made. I struggle to get close to grebes, so this is quite an accomplishment in my book. Add to that how sharp it is, plus the water droplets and that crazy red eye, and you have a real winner. Can't tell what that is in his mouth, but it adds interest as well.

Registered on January 26, 2010, 68 Posts, 719 Comments

Comment posted by Geoffrey Baker on December 27, 2010 at 7:12 PM

This is lovely, those water droplets are great

Well done.

Geoff.

Registered on August 20, 2010, 192 Posts, 980 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on December 27, 2010 at 8:54 PM

Excellent, the feeding behavior, reflection and lighting are all top notch here.

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

Comment posted by denise ippolito on December 27, 2010 at 11:34 PM

Richard, The pose and reflection are very nice. I like that the eye is sharp and the mid-air water drop is a nice bonus.

Registered on December 17, 2009, 202 Posts, 1529 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on December 28, 2010 at 1:36 AM

Nice detail Richard - like the reflection and the droplets

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Andy Shepherd on December 28, 2010 at 10:58 AM

Great looking image, Rich. I really like the water texture, especially on the green side of the image, water droplets, prey item and reflection all add to what is a very good piece of photography.

Andy...

Registered on September 24, 2006, 123 Posts, 1254 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Backlund on December 28, 2010 at 12:46 PM

We had one here that disappeared just before our CBC, would have been a first on the count. Nice to see these grebes in their basic plumage. The water droplets are nice addition. Really nice reflection, too.

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

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on December 28, 2010 at 4:15 PM

really nice, Rich. I like the pose, the water colors, the water drops. the eye looks great--too often these reds get blown.

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

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on December 29, 2010 at 10:10 AM

A top notch image Rich. Really like the reflections, water drops and overall IQ. I'd seen this image on your blog and hoped you'd post it.

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

Comment posted by Terry Sohl on December 29, 2010 at 11:36 AM

Beautiful look to this one, especially with the fish and water droplets. Reflection is great as well.

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on December 30, 2010 at 6:30 AM

All the attentions is at the head here, as it should be..
The striking eye, reflection, and water flying make it work very well.
I shot another species of the grebe this fall, they are very active birds. Fun to watch.
Nicely done & a Happy New Year to you Richard

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments