Flying Lessons

Gallery: AvianPosted November 8, 2009186 views14 comments

1D2n, 600mm f4 is, 1/1250s, iso 200

Today, I managed to stay at the pond from sunrise to sunset and witnessed some fantastic conditions. I almost ran out of cards. I have been following these cygnets almost since they hatched and I have to say it was exciting to see them struggle to take to the air. I like this image as it includes the parents in the background, as if they are supervising his attempt. I cropped for composition, losing some of the reflection. Comments and critique are always appreciated.

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on November 8, 2009 at 3:49 PM

Great job not cutting off the wings and maintaining your low angle. Another outstanding photo - certainly your best action shot!

- Luke

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

Comment posted by Monica Siri on November 8, 2009 at 4:02 PM

Ian,
extraordinary action shot!
Bravo

Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments

Comment posted by Jerry Marella on November 8, 2009 at 4:29 PM

Excellent shot, Ian. Love the low angle, color, foot position, and frozen water.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 142 Posts, 862 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on November 8, 2009 at 5:08 PM

Excellent flight (well, very nearly flight) shot. The low angle, the capture of splashes and the wing angle all work together very well. Special props for getting the bird flying toward you. An exceptionally nice shot, Ian.

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

Comment posted by Keith A Anderson on November 8, 2009 at 5:19 PM

Another beauty, Ian. Love the intense "look" on the cygnets face and the way one foot is forward and the other back as it "runs" into it's takeoff.

Registered on February 13, 2006, 166 Posts, 1818 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on November 8, 2009 at 7:28 PM

Tough shot with the bird coming at you Ian. Well done. Great low angle as usual. I love the colors of the water and the BG. Given the strength of the subject, the two OOF birds in the BG do not distract, but the image may be stronger if they were absent. I like it as posted though.

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

Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on November 8, 2009 at 9:39 PM

Very cool to see an action shot from your pond Ian. That is sure an awesome place you have there. Great detail and the water splashing in the background is really nice.

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

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on November 8, 2009 at 10:53 PM

Fantastic action, Ian. In the larger image it jumps right out at the viewer. Great job.

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on November 9, 2009 at 12:36 AM

Great action and intensity. Undecided whether i agree about the position of the adults

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Kenneth Arni on November 9, 2009 at 5:51 AM

Really like this Ian, love everything about it and i also like the inclusion of the OOF adults in BG. It adds some mood for me.

Registered on December 24, 2008, 112 Posts, 629 Comments

Comment posted by Ákos Lumnitzer on November 9, 2009 at 6:08 AM

Love the head-on approach but I'd love to have had the parents more separate from the juvenile's body.

great work as always!

Registered on April 24, 2004, 25 Posts, 510 Comments

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on November 9, 2009 at 8:39 AM

Beautiful action captured here with fine details, that too head on!
I just wish for better placement of OOF birds.
Jagdeep Rajput

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

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on November 9, 2009 at 6:24 PM

Your time and patience has really paid off handsomely with this photo, what an incredible angle. The background color and texture is beautiful and I really like the addition of the other two swans to give some context.

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

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on November 10, 2009 at 1:18 AM

Looks like a little struggle for the little guy

Great job capturing all the action

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments