Horned Grebe

Gallery: AvianPosted November 10, 201391 views9 comments

November 9, 2013 Bolsa Chica Wetlands Wildlife Reserve, Huntington Beach, California

Nikon D4 Nikkor 600mm 1.4TC 850mm 1/250 at f/8 with a flash and Better Beamer on a tripod with a Wimberley Gimbal. White Balance Auto ISO125

This Horned Grebe and an associate swam, and dove to fish repeatedly adjacent to the foot-bridge at the Reserve. While photographing him we had a spirited conversation with fellow who claimed to haves a degree in Ornithology about whether he was a Horned or Eared Grebe. The Sibley Field Guide for Birds settled it for me, but if you disagree please weigh in. He swam so close that he was partially outside the frame. This is an un-cropped photo processed in Lightroom, CS6 and NIK.

Comments welcome

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on November 10, 2013 at 3:57 PM

Lovely, serene shot Patrick. The wake surrounding the grebe makes the shot for me. I would offer one suggestion on the composition which might enhance an already solid shot, and that would be to consider a crop from the left of the frame out to about the fourth or fifth wake ring. The bird is looking ever slightly right in frame and I think that crop would offer more balance.
Just a thought...

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

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on November 10, 2013 at 5:01 PM

Nice, Patrick. The ripples in the still water add a lot. I found myself wishing for a lower angle, but at Bolsa Chica that's not always possible. The pale tip to the bill and the light spot on the lore, ahead of the eye, indicate a Horned Grebe.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on November 10, 2013 at 6:24 PM

We don't get those around here, Patrick, but I would certainly trust Sibley. A solid shot. I sympathize on the angle; most of the areas I shoot in have the same problem.

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

Comment posted by Patrick O'Healy on November 10, 2013 at 6:29 PM

I agree with the comments about a lower angle, but since this shot was taken from the footbridge off the parking area, absent lying across the walk-way, which is not friendly to the multitudes walking by, this is as good as it gets.

Registered on March 13, 2011, 326 Posts, 1679 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on November 10, 2013 at 7:04 PM

Great pose, Patrick. I think you could have backed off on the flash a bit as it's pretty evident around the eye.

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on November 10, 2013 at 7:23 PM

Love the water with its patterns, and the overall peaceful look Patrick.
The waters color seems to compliment the grays of the bird too.
Maybe it's just me

Well done

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on November 11, 2013 at 12:50 AM

Definitely horned, but hard to tell sometimes. These guys are very shy up here, so I'm glad this one was so cooperative for you.
Love the ripples, very nice detail and great water.
Sandy

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

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on November 14, 2013 at 11:06 AM

Hi Patrick

Thanks for sharing this very intertesting grebe with us. Very good detail, and love the harmony between the colors of the water and the grebe.

Albert Darmo

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments

Comment posted by Tjie Poo on November 18, 2013 at 2:10 AM

Nice capture of this HORNED Grebe Patrick ! The water ripples are lovely and I like the composition as it is.

Registered on December 4, 2012, 51 Posts, 511 Comments