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Mute Swan
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Mute Swan

by Luke Ormand

Gallery: AvianPosted June 12, 201163 views4 comments
Mute Swans are one of those avian species that I rarely photograph because they are quite common and they're nasty (in the sense that they are a harmful invasive species). But sometimes they present themselves in a way where I can't resist shooting them. The other day I was kayaking and they were beautifully backlit next to the boat.

Nikon D300s 300 f4 + 1.7X TC HH from kayak
f/8
1/1000s
ISO 640
-.33 EC

Full Frame, Sharpened in CS5, minor levels adjustments

- Luke

Comments

4 comments
Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on June 12, 2011 at 11:19 PM
Swans are far from my favourites too, but more for the sinister countenance they always seem to display, rather than the more logical reason you offered Luke, which is something I was unaware of until now ... which of course don't exactly bring them any closer to my heart ;^)

As to the image itself, I really like the effect you achieve with the rim-lighting as well as the looking-over-it's-shoulder pose. I would have liked to see the tip of the third protruding set of feathers that have been unfortunately (to my eye) clipped out of the frame on the LH side, but seeing as this is full frame and taking into consideration your were handholding from a kayak this is of course "perfect world" thinking more than anything else :^)
Registered on March 1, 2011, 154 Posts, 2083 Comments
Comment posted by Patricia Brundage on June 13, 2011 at 6:03 AM
For me swans are one of the most graceful and beautiful birds in my environment. One swan will eliminate the problem of too many geese... a bigger problem. You have captured this one in an unusual and artistic way. Well done! :toast:
Registered on March 23, 2006, 1111 Posts, 6531 Comments
Comment posted by Darren McKenna on June 13, 2011 at 3:03 PM
Wonderful backlit portrait.
Registered on October 28, 2008, 31 Posts, 214 Comments
Comment posted by David Sparks on June 14, 2011 at 1:22 PM
I'm glad you did not resist. I've enjoyed looking at this one. I like the back lighting and the nice detail you have on the "shadow-side" of the bird. The dark BG helps too. Good work hand holding from a kayak.
Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments