Western Grebe

Gallery: AvianPosted November 1, 2009140 views20 comments

Western Grebe ( Aechmophorus occidentalis)

Place: Veterans Oasis Park, Chandler, AZ, USA
Date: October 30, 2009
Equipment: Nikon D200, Nikkor AF-S 300/2.8 & TC20E (2x), G1325, RRS BH-55, Sidekick
Exposure: ISO 320, aperture priority matrix metered, 1/250th @ f/10, -2/3rd ev compensation
Raw, PS CS3 on Mac G4, 55% of frame

A few Aechmophorus grebes winter in the lower elevations of central AZ, but they like to stay as far from shore as possible making it challenging at times separating Western from the closely related Clark's Grebe.

This grebe has been hanging out at a new park facility about 25 miles away and I've spent three sessions with it so far. It too always picks the center of the lake, but if I wait long enough it sometimes drifts closer.

It is centered on purpose - I find I like static subjects positioned this way. I left the extra reflection because it is natural.

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

Comments

20 comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on November 1, 2009 at 7:54 PM

I like this a lot more than the last and that says a LOT because the last one was stellar. A really incredible shot, hard to believe that this is actually real. Have you experimented with leaving more room on the left or the right?

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on November 1, 2009 at 8:02 PM

Rich, very nice. I love the eye and the reflection. I like your choice of comp given the eye is looking straight out at the viewer. Great FG and BG too. Well done.

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

Comment posted by Drew Fulton on November 1, 2009 at 8:11 PM

Love it Richard. It's an interesting pose. I'm used to the head tucked the other way. I really like it. They eye makes the image. Great work and way to be patient.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 43 Posts, 357 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Conway on November 1, 2009 at 8:29 PM

Richard, I looked at the large image before reading your write up. My reaction was that I loved the centered comp and the extra reflection. That extra reflection is not only good because its natural it in my view adds a graphical quality to the image that makes it much more interesting.

Superb!

Peter

Registered on June 25, 2007, 347 Posts, 3913 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on November 1, 2009 at 9:14 PM

The master at work. I have soooo many "similar" images of the species and when I looked at the thumbnail my mind's eye expected something reminding me of mine. When I opened the larger image I was blown away. The detail, low angle and light are superb. I love the position of the eye reflection just below that of the body. I'd have made the same decision about the "extra" reflection, for the same reason and besides - I like it.

I keep learning from you Rich...

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

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on November 1, 2009 at 9:14 PM

Rich,

I love the centered composition for your grebe, it feels very serene & peaceful to look at this way and had it been less centered it would have added a tension that may have taken away that feeling for me. I think the natural extra reflection is great and I would not have cloned it away either.

This image has your usual great techs, sharpness and details, combined with your great eye for comps that makes this a visual delight for me.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on November 1, 2009 at 9:38 PM

Rich, this is a beautiful shot. I agree with your decision on the comp--the centered bird lends itself well to the stillness of the image. The eye is fantastic and the texture in the body is great. In the larger version the extended line of the catchlight in the reflection is a little odd to my eye, but at the same time, I don't think it would look right if it was removed since the rest of the eye is extended also, so maybe a little higher iso & higher SS?

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

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on November 1, 2009 at 10:21 PM

Beautiful detail and light, Richard. I really like the bird's pose and the still water. An lovely image.

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

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on November 1, 2009 at 10:22 PM

Very, very nice. Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Twaddell on November 1, 2009 at 10:52 PM

Excellent. I love the red eye.

Registered on August 16, 2007, 199 Posts, 2132 Comments

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on November 2, 2009 at 12:09 AM

Great details & techs !
Just love that sparkling eye !
Jagdeep Rajput

Registered on April 29, 2008, 686 Posts, 2857 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on November 2, 2009 at 2:13 AM

Really nice Richard - like the glassy smooth water, reflection and the eye

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Craig Strand on November 2, 2009 at 7:29 AM

I love the grebe's resting/sleeping position and the soft subtle plumage as detailed in the larger view. Excellent eye contact and reflection. I agree with your centered comp. Very nice image Richard!

Registered on March 30, 2008, 416 Posts, 2885 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Saunders on November 2, 2009 at 8:15 AM

I love the eye contact here Rich. Nicely done

Registered on February 6, 2008, 321 Posts, 3035 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on November 2, 2009 at 10:17 AM

This composition works for me. As others have said, the eye is quite alluring.

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by kiran khanzode on November 2, 2009 at 2:30 PM

Stunning capture, I love the flawless reflection, Richard.

Registered on February 21, 2009, 83 Posts, 428 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on November 2, 2009 at 3:34 PM

I love how that red eye stands out beautifully here. Outstanding composition.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on November 2, 2009 at 4:53 PM

Most excellent, Richard! Agree that with such a pose, the more perfectly centered the better. The red eye and little bit of catchlight are a bonus.

Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on November 2, 2009 at 8:15 PM

Superb detail Richard. A classic grebe pose. Normally I would say this is too centered but I agree with you. It works really well.

Registered on February 6, 2008, 168 Posts, 3118 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on November 2, 2009 at 10:31 PM

Wonderful capture. For me, the centered composition works very well, and I am all for leaving the natural extra reflection.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments