Least Grebe-Repost

Gallery: AvianPosted March 18, 2011149 views14 comments

I just love the sweet face of a Least Grebe. I shot this in McAllen Texas at one of the World Birding Centers last weekend. The golden wavy designs in the water is a reflection of reeds. I would appreciate any comment and critique of this image. Please check out the large version.

7D, 500mm F/4L lens + 1.4 TC
F/5.6 1/2000 ISO 400 +0.33
Gitzo tripod and Wimberly

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on March 18, 2011 at 4:41 PM

Dottie, I love the colors and the water with reflections. Very nice. Not sure about the comp, but this is a tough one not knowing what is out front of the bird.

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

Comment posted by Dottie Short on March 18, 2011 at 5:13 PM

I wrestled with the composition too. I tried to give more space in front of the bird but there were some wide reeds that seemed too bright and rather wide and drew attention away from the grebe. Wasn't sure that centering vertically was the correct thing to do, but decided the reflection led me to this option. Dottie

Registered on April 12, 2010, 61 Posts, 375 Comments

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on March 18, 2011 at 6:59 PM

Very pretty colors, very nice light.

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

Comment posted by Doug Backlund on March 18, 2011 at 9:44 PM

The colors are really nice. Not too sure about the crop. A lower angle shot would have more effect, IMO, smoothing out the water/reflections behind the grebe. I should talk, though, my only photos of a least grebe are at about this angle too. Couldn't get lower.

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

Comment posted by David Haynes on March 18, 2011 at 10:04 PM

Dottie,
What a beautiful reflection. Tack sharp on top of that. I really like the reflection above the back of the bird where it's all twisted and curling up. As far as the comp I think I would crop on top where the dark brown twig comes in from the side and balance it off on the bottom...probably just above the dark horizontal lines about an inch below the grebes head. I'd possible add more room on the sides. Just my opinion though. Still love the shot Dottie.

Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments

Comment posted by John Blumenkamp on March 18, 2011 at 10:07 PM

Hi Dottie... awesome detail, light and reflection. I'd be curious to see it in a horizontal format if more image is there to the left. Nice image as is.

Registered on February 26, 2011, 58 Posts, 313 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on March 19, 2011 at 7:50 AM

Dottie I love the water colors and squiggly reflection in the back.

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

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on March 19, 2011 at 8:11 AM

Really like the colors and reflections here Dottie - and that wonderful eye. I especially like the squiggly reflections just above and behind the grebe. I do think a lower angle would have made the image even stronger.

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

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on March 19, 2011 at 10:38 AM

This is golden. I love the ripples and reflections you chose to include. If you had more room on the left, I'd like to see more of that ripple, too.

Registered on January 24, 2011, 576 Posts, 6942 Comments

Comment posted by Dottie Short on March 19, 2011 at 4:50 PM

Okay here's the repost by special request. Thanks to all who took the time to comment.

Registered on April 12, 2010, 61 Posts, 375 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on March 19, 2011 at 11:29 PM

Love the colors that you captured here. The curls of soft gold against the blue is very ethereal looking. Good strong image of the grebe-very sharp and nice light in the eye.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Michele Williams on March 20, 2011 at 7:47 AM

This is gorgeous! The details of the grebe are really nice and the reflections in the water add an artistic feel to the image. I love the choice of vertical crop as well.

Registered on April 3, 2010, 28 Posts, 146 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on March 20, 2011 at 9:42 AM

spectacular water, Dottie! I prefer the comp of the repost. I agree a lower angle would have even more impact, but this is a beautiful shot.

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

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on March 20, 2011 at 4:05 PM

Wonderful golden swirls and reflection.

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