Western Grebes

Gallery: AvianPosted October 15, 2012816 views19 comments

Western and Clark's Grebes at Bear River MBR raised lots of chicks this summer and I was able to get close to a few of them when they were back brooding. I do wish the bill of the rear chick wasn't hidden but they weren't taking posing directions from the photographer...

7D, 1/2500, f/8, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, shot from pickup window on 6/4/12, cropped to 90% of original image (I have no more room up top or at right), small exposure adjustment in ACR, no additional processing or adjustments, natural light, not baited, set up or called in

Larger version provided

Comments/critique appreciated

Comments

19 comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on October 15, 2012 at 7:39 PM

Big cuteness alert! I agree about the last one's little bill, but I'd take this any day! Nice and sharp and that red eye on the parent is perfectly placed compositionally. Sharon

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

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on October 15, 2012 at 7:42 PM

A very sweet image, and something I'd love to see some day.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on October 15, 2012 at 8:21 PM

No nits, no comments that aren't envious. Wish this were mine!

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on October 15, 2012 at 9:25 PM

Cute factor is off the page here Ron. Well captured and composed.

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Mike Ramy on October 15, 2012 at 11:15 PM

Outstanding Ron,
This is nature at its best and you did an excellent job with this capture, Well Done.

Registered on June 16, 2012, 567 Posts, 2809 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on October 15, 2012 at 11:49 PM

So cute. The nearest chick with its head under the wing almost disappears. Nice light and detail.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Nall on October 16, 2012 at 10:17 AM

A nice capture Ron, the larger version really shows this 'pack' off nicely. Good detail and light. I like how the smaller birds are all nestled together and that you can see every eye. I think this type of image is harder to capture than a lot of people realize. It all seems to come together nicely in this one!

Registered on October 5, 2012, 45 Posts, 168 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Frye on October 16, 2012 at 11:10 AM

Oh to get a shot like that -- very nice

Registered on February 3, 2007, 387 Posts, 1136 Comments

Comment posted by Butch Lama on October 16, 2012 at 3:42 PM

Awesome exposure and love the catchlight on all four of them.

Registered on July 23, 2010, 42 Posts, 316 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on October 16, 2012 at 6:25 PM

Well you better give them chicks a talkin' to!
I think we are often our own worst critic Ron. You see a partially hidden chick, I see one that's simply shy..
Makes it even cuter

Techs look excellent, nicely done

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Basri Akcasoy on October 17, 2012 at 1:27 PM

They are so cute and ınnocent. Larger version shows much better the pose and sharp detail. TFS.

Registered on February 16, 2012, 118 Posts, 767 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on October 17, 2012 at 4:08 PM

That's a full load for sure Ron. The "missing" bill is not an issue at all for me. Super exposure and detail and the larger version shows it all. Well done.

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

Comment posted by Ken Archer on October 17, 2012 at 5:11 PM

Sweet family portrait Ron

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hansen on October 17, 2012 at 7:29 PM

This is just awesome!! Great work!

Registered on May 5, 2011, 161 Posts, 908 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on October 17, 2012 at 9:43 PM

These birds can be difficult to approach, especially when they have young. Nicely done.

Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Rhodus on October 17, 2012 at 11:16 PM

Wonderful family portrait. I certainly understand your comment about the bill but this is super as is.

Registered on November 16, 2003, 157 Posts, 3326 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on October 18, 2012 at 4:38 PM

I always love getting a chance to photograph grebes with young, lovely shot with great appeal Ron