Western Grebe

Gallery: AvianPosted January 1, 2012174 views15 comments

Western Grebe ( Aechmophorus occidentalis)

Place: Red Mountain Park, Mesa, AZ
Date: November 24, 2011, 11:45 am
Equipment: Nikon D300, Nikkor AF-S 300/2.8 & TC14E (1.4x), G1325, RRS BH-55, Sidekick
Exposure: ISO 640, aperture priority matrix metered, 1/320th @ f/9, -2/3 ev
Raw, PS CS3 on Mac G4, 70% of frame

Taken on a day with heavy overcast this close and cooperative grebe was too good to ignore. Although the flat light helped with the contrast of the plumage it was difficult to bring out feather texture. I have an abundance of traditional compositions of this bird but liked the whimsical nature of this head-on view with one leg extended.

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

Comments

15 comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on January 1, 2012 at 11:59 AM

Rich- I think you did very well here. Nice detail in the larger version and the composition is very attractive.

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on January 1, 2012 at 12:49 PM

A real contortionist! Nice - perfect expousre, great detil and unusual pose.
Happy New Year!

Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on January 1, 2012 at 1:03 PM

An excellent shot Rich. Love the head-on view and the leg. Water is attractive and the ring on the water adds IMO. Well done.

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

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on January 1, 2012 at 1:13 PM

Rich, I enjoy head-on views of this species because of how the black feathers on the top of the head puff out, which I've never noticed in standard profile views. details look good, the raised leg is interesting too, and I like the ring in the water. I might opt for placing the bird a bit lower in the frame.

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

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on January 1, 2012 at 3:08 PM

An interesting pose. Certainly not the traditional profile shot! I assume the leg raise is just prior to diving?

I am on the fence about placing the bird lower in the frame. It might make a difference, but only if you have the canvas in the first place.

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

Comment posted by Scott Frye on January 1, 2012 at 5:53 PM

I was realy puzzled as to what was sticking out the back of this grebe -- my first thought was that it was hit by an arrow. Now I am really puzzled as to how it could lift its leg like that -- nicely presented -- sharp and colorful with a good story

Registered on February 3, 2007, 387 Posts, 1136 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on January 1, 2012 at 7:46 PM

Excellent shot, the leg up really makes this unique,

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on January 2, 2012 at 8:07 AM

Excellent as presented. Perfect exposure and f/9 served you well for DOF. I'm always surprised by how often this species does this with their legs/feet.

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

Comment posted by David Hemmings on January 2, 2012 at 1:42 PM

Crazy pose, great capture Richard!

Registered on May 26, 2006, 178 Posts, 1680 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on January 2, 2012 at 2:13 PM

Wonderful head on look with the puffed feather do and those red eyes. At first I was trying to figure out what the heck was sticking up behind the grebe and then read your comments, so the leg stretch really adds to the image. Nice job in getting this shot, the larger image looks great.

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

Comment posted by John Robinson on January 2, 2012 at 6:57 PM

Love it !!

JohnR

Registered on March 2, 2008, 535 Posts, 2453 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on January 2, 2012 at 10:43 PM

Very nice shot. I like the direct stare and the hair do. I also like the water color. The leg stretch is very cool too, looks like he has a tail.

Registered on May 18, 2004, 124 Posts, 2503 Comments

Comment posted by Terry Sohl on January 3, 2012 at 2:53 PM

Cool! I had to scratch my head for a second on what that thing was sticking out from behind his back! I first glanced at the photo and thought he'd been shot with an arrow!

Neat image Richard, very unusual.

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

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on January 3, 2012 at 11:45 PM

I always wonder why they do this. I guess they're just stretching. Neat capture, Rich. Techs look spot on.

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

Comment posted by Suzanne Huot on January 4, 2012 at 6:56 PM

Great head on look captured from your Grebe,even shows both those red eyes.very interesting portrait.i think you did well on the feather details on his back.Grebes like loons because of their lifestyle mostly in the water and rarely on land, have their legs positioned much further back on their bodies to enable them to dive straight down and catch their prey in a hurry .adds speed too.Hence the oft seen leg acrobatics spotted of both species.

Registered on December 28, 2010, 32 Posts, 240 Comments