Black Throated Diver

Thanks to every one that has commented on my recent posts. I promise this will be the last one of the series from the floating hide. The Black Throated Diver was the main reason I built and took the hide to scandanavia, I have had many attempts over the years and never really had much success. This image is one of my favourites it is probably a bit big in the frame but I really like the pose of the bird which is showing the birds neckless and the late evening light has also shown that lovely tint of purple in the birds throat.

Thanks for looking

Canon EOS 1D MkII, 500mm lens, 1.4 Converter, F8, 1/250, ISO Rating 200.

Danny Green

You've commented on the only thing I don't like about this one Danny..size in the frame.
I do like the light and also the background. Lovely clear and uncluttered shot, just a pity you had the 1.4x attached.

Cheers,
John

Have to agree with John, just too big in the frame so very cramped, otherwise stunning

So how did you travel with a floating hide? - drive or do you have a cunning design?

I like the framing and size in frame, very lovely shot, let down only by the 'hot' whites on the lower throat.

Hi Danny

I quite like it, especially the low angle you have achieved using your hide. Overall the image works but if I am being picky I would make the following minor observations. To my eye there is a slight downward tilt to the left so maybe a CW rotation would help. Or maybe that is just me. The dark area of background is a bit distracting against the rest of the image and I would have prefered the far background to consist of the softer brown tones in the top left corner. I don't mind the bird this size in the frame for this shot as for me it has quite an intimate feel about it, although I can see that it would work well if the bird was slightly smaller in the frame. The whites are just blowing out as Nigel has observed.

Overall the diver is captured in a great pose with good eye contact and nice lighting, especially around the head. Fantastic looking bird, hopefully I might see and even photograph one sometime in the future.



cheers

Sean

Nits mentioned, super looking bird well photographed.

Hi Danny, apart from the minor nits covered, this a wonderful photo of this spectacular diver.

Agree with minor nits but to me they are very minor-lovely image i would love to have

Hi Danny
a great experience to photograph a bird like this.
John
Aberdeen

I have to disagree with all the nit-pickers here!

I don't think it's too big in the frame, I don't think it's tilted, and I don't think the dark bit of the BG is a problem. If the dark bit of BG was behind the darkest parts of the bird it would be a problem, but it isn't so it's not! The dark band of BG at the top would also be ideal for the banner/title on a magazine cover.

Top shot IMO.

Michael S

Hi Danny,

I'm with Michael on this one. Although maybe the whites are a little hot, the rest of the mentioned nits don't worry me in the slightest. A lovely shot of a stunning bird.

Fantastic, again only nit for me are the hot whites but it did catch my eye as a great image, niceone

Hi Danny
Super shot of a bird I would love to photograph - must have been a great experience. Yes a bit big in the frame - your hide must be working too well. I would be happy with it though.
Cheers Simon