Pie-billed Grebe

Gallery: AvianPosted November 12, 2012163 views10 comments

I believe this to be a juvenile. I had spent about three hours on an overcast day sitting in my blind with absolutely no action the whole time. Just before the sun dipped below the horizon it broke through the clouds. Right on cue this little guy came out from a reed bed, swam into perfect range and position, did a little pirouette, gave me a wink and then swam off. I love it when that happens.

All C&C appreciated.

Camera Model Canon EOS 40D
Shooting Mode Manual Exposure
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/400
Av( Aperture Value ) 7.1
Metering Mode Spot Metering
ISO Speed 400
Lens EF400mm f/5.6L USM
AF Mode AI Servo AF

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Guy Nelson on November 12, 2012 at 10:27 PM

Hi Mark,
I love your point of view, nice light, your patience paid off. Very nice!
Guy

Registered on October 12, 2012, 24 Posts, 138 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on November 12, 2012 at 11:00 PM

Beautiful. Love the golden bath. Nice eye contact and composition. I like that he is smaller in the frame. He "fits".

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

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on November 13, 2012 at 6:52 AM

Nicely done, Mark. I really like the water colors and light here. Great little head turn with this frontal approach. You worked hard for this one and it paid off. I think too many folks ignore this little species, for me they're full of personality and grit.

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

Comment posted by Joel DeYoung on November 13, 2012 at 12:52 PM

Nothing like waiting until the last minute to show up!

Nicely captured, love how the golden reflection in the water compliments the color of the Grebe.
The head turn, the catch light in the eye and details in the feathers all come together to make this a beautiful image.

Well done.

Registered on July 12, 2009, 92 Posts, 1074 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on November 13, 2012 at 2:22 PM

Lovely little environmental and specie scene.

Registered on April 18, 2011, 329 Posts, 1985 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on November 13, 2012 at 7:21 PM

3 hours is a long time all alone with nothing to shoot, but I'm glad you waited! This is nicely presented with a gorgeous bg/water color. Sharon

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

Comment posted by wade pettitt on November 13, 2012 at 8:07 PM

Well done. One of my favorite birds. As ron says full of piss and vinegar or somthing along those lines and fun to watch. I love the light and the reflections.

Registered on May 6, 2009, 184 Posts, 471 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on November 13, 2012 at 11:45 PM

Your patience really paid off with this wonderful composition. The low perspective really makes this for me in combination with that colored background and head turn, excellent shot.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on November 16, 2012 at 6:59 PM

Love the setting and the overall feel of the image. These little Pied-billed Grebes are one of my favorites.
May

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

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on November 17, 2012 at 10:01 AM

Great piece of work. Worth waiting for.

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