Pied-Billed Grebe

Gallery: AvianPosted January 25, 2012217 views6 comments

Canon EOS 7D
EF400mm f/5.6L USM
1/15/2012 – 4:19:29 PM
1/1250 sec
Manual
f/8
ISO 400
Handheld
Merritt Island NWR
Raw, LR3, CS5, 50% of FF

I think this must be the most common type of grebe, but to me they are so cute. They also seem to me to be hard to photograph for some reason, not just that they are small and skittish but something about their feathers.

I didn't do anything with just the bird with shadows/highlights, and if there appears to be a halo behind the neck I think it has to be just the changes in the water, especially since there only appears to be one where the water is light but not where it's dark.

I couldn't figure out how to come up with a better comp and stay at 50% of FF (and not go lower).

Comments, opinions and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on January 25, 2012 at 4:15 PM

Very nice detail here Barbara, and the pose you captured validates the "cute" factor. The angle is a tad acute and I think getting a little lower POV would enhance this image. But I like it as posted.

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

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on January 25, 2012 at 7:01 PM

I think you did fine with your comp and I'm not noticing a halo. Your large crop held up reasonably well and I like the light on the grebe. And you're right - these birds are difficult to photograph well especially when their feathers are wet. Agree that a lower angle would be a bit of an improvement but I think you did fine here.

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

Comment posted by Jay Martin on January 25, 2012 at 9:54 PM

Very nice pose that you've captured here. These birds are fun to watch and photograph -if you can get close to them. Great shot.

Registered on December 6, 2005, 200 Posts, 2209 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on January 26, 2012 at 6:16 AM

Great IQ in this shot. Keeping it at over 50% helps that IMO. I like this as posted.

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

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on January 26, 2012 at 7:35 AM

nice light, and I like the comp, Barbara. I agree that these guys are not easy to capture. I also agree that a lower angle would be more engaging.

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

Comment posted by David Haynes on January 27, 2012 at 2:01 AM

Barbara,
You nailed the cute factor with this one. Very good light and a perfect head turn. Yes, these guys are skittish but you did a good job capturing this one.

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