Swan Lake

Gallery: AvianPosted November 11, 2009862 views18 comments

I don't know if I posted this before, and if so, please ignore this post.

This image was recently Highly Commended in the Avian category of the European Wildlife Photographer of the Year, so I thought I'd share it with you.

I shot these whooper swans on Hokkaido, Japan. The moment I saw this scene, I was immediately taken by the fairy-tale like mood. When I set up my tripod there was hardly any light because of the thick cloud cover, but I decided to wait and hope for the sun to appear from below the clouds, just before it would hide behind the mountains in the background. I was very lucky that it did.

Nikon D2x, AF-S DX 12-24/4.0, 1/125 @ f/11, ISO 250, NDG, tripod

Comments

18 comments

Comment posted by Neil Rossmiller on November 11, 2009 at 8:56 AM

Hello Marsel,
I saw this image on your web site and was hoping it was here to study. Scary!
Congratulations on your award!
From the brief time I've been here at NPN, I can only say, "Well Deserved"!
The ethereal, dreamscape nature of the image is outstanding and I find the image very soothing and comforting. I wouldn't change a thing. IMO, changes, would only make it different, not better.
Patience, for some, is not a virtue, but this is a perfect example of seeing the possibility and waiting for the scene to mature and being prepared when it does. It's OK to walk away when it never quite made it the way you hoped, but the rewards for, sticking it out, could not be better documented.
Great way to start my morning. Thanks!
I hope our paths cross one day.
Neil

Registered on October 30, 2009, 156 Posts, 749 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on November 11, 2009 at 11:29 AM

Beautiful birdscape, Marcel. I like the mood the mist provides.

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

Comment posted by Ákos Lumnitzer on November 11, 2009 at 3:13 PM

Incredible mood of a grand scene and expertly thought out and captured. A delight to view.

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

Comment posted by May Haga on November 11, 2009 at 4:16 PM

Magical, don't remember seeing it before so I am glad you posted it now. The mist provides a wonderfully moody setting for these beautiful swans.
May

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

Comment posted by Sally King on November 11, 2009 at 4:21 PM

This image certainly sets a mood. Patience is definitely a virtue and I find id easier to come by as I get older. Well done.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on November 11, 2009 at 7:38 PM

It's a new post for me Marsel and it is lovely.

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

Comment posted by Scott Fricke on November 11, 2009 at 11:26 PM

This is just a gorgeous image, I love the transition from the warm, sunlit lake on the left to the foggy, cool look on the right.

Registered on January 19, 2007, 133 Posts, 1448 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on November 12, 2009 at 4:11 AM

Congratulations Marsel, just lovely

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on November 12, 2009 at 10:24 AM

Looks like a scene, which shows the transition, from dream to reality !

Jagdeep Rajput

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

Comment posted by Carrie O'Brien-Sib on November 12, 2009 at 11:00 AM

one word, M A G I C A L !! Congratulations, and thanks for posting...I've not seen it.

Registered on August 4, 2009, 149 Posts, 889 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on November 12, 2009 at 4:04 PM

Marvelous image. It's the kind that we all hope to capture one day.

Registered on April 10, 2009, 292 Posts, 3967 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Mason on November 12, 2009 at 5:04 PM

Outstanding image! Many congratulations.

Registered on December 14, 2005, 399 Posts, 2305 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on November 14, 2009 at 1:00 PM

Congrats on the award and a very beautiful shot, the transition in lighting is very appealing.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Fach on November 16, 2009 at 8:59 PM

Marsel: Just spectacular. Congrats on the EP and the other accolades. >=))>

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on November 16, 2009 at 10:18 PM

Really excellent!

Congrats on the EP!

Sandy r

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

Comment posted by May Haga on November 17, 2009 at 12:17 PM

Excellent choice for WP.
May

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

Comment posted by Angela Classen on November 23, 2009 at 12:43 PM

The mist definitely makes this one special. Congrats on the EP and other awards!

Registered on June 13, 2007, 434 Posts, 2742 Comments

Comment posted by Rui Vieira on December 16, 2009 at 9:55 AM

Stunning image Marsel

The mood is awesome. A winning image with no doubt. Congratulations

Registered on September 11, 2008, 39 Posts, 246 Comments