Avian - 1st Place

Gallery: EPA 2013Posted March 15, 20139,304 views57 comments

Snowy Grebe

This Great Crested Grebe must have been as surprised as I was with yesterday's snowfall - whereas it should be spring in a week from now.....

And some 50 minutes before this shot I was shooting Hares in the sun (shooting as in framing of course) - see also my www.hansoverduin.nl/blog/

Nikon D4 & 500mm + TC @ 700mm | 1/160 | f5,6 | ISO 500 | Underexposed 1/3EV | handheld while lying on the snow

Thanks for any ideas, remarks and suggestions

, Hans

Comments

57 comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on March 15, 2013 at 1:19 PM

SPLENDID! A gorgeous shot! Sharon

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

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on March 15, 2013 at 1:48 PM

Excellent. Very intimate. Nice feel for the weather with the falling snow.

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

Comment posted by danny hancock on March 15, 2013 at 3:43 PM

great image and the snow makes it perfect.

Registered on February 11, 2013, 7 Posts, 14 Comments

Comment posted by Alan Bryant on March 15, 2013 at 3:49 PM

Wish there was a tad more canvas at the top, as its a little cramped.

A very unique image, having a Grebe with a snowfall

Great shot Hans

Registered on March 31, 2006, 473 Posts, 1081 Comments

Comment posted by Verdon on March 15, 2013 at 3:56 PM

beautiful low POV and overall quality, the snow flakes added a lot to winter mood, well done!

Registered on June 10, 2011, 147 Posts, 1444 Comments

Comment posted by Gary McGhee on March 15, 2013 at 4:13 PM

This looks terrific Hans, I don't know the first thing about avian photography but I'm loving this.

Gary.

Registered on April 15, 2010, 142 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on March 15, 2013 at 5:34 PM

No ideas, no suggestions..
Just remarkable

Have a great weekend Hans!

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

Comment posted by Gary Reed on March 15, 2013 at 6:15 PM

Love the snow and intimate cold feeling...good job getting down in that snow to get this nice view...

Registered on September 19, 2009, 198 Posts, 1074 Comments

Comment posted by Edward Scott on March 15, 2013 at 10:10 PM

Beautiful shot as usual Hans! What a gorgeous bird.

Registered on February 8, 2012, 22 Posts, 70 Comments

Comment posted by Jeff Lewis on March 16, 2013 at 12:08 AM

Awesome image, Hans. Love the snowflake on the beak

Registered on January 29, 2013, 9 Posts, 89 Comments

Comment posted by Lennart Augustsson on March 16, 2013 at 6:19 AM

Nice low angle, beautiful colours and the snow makes this a winner.

Well done!

Registered on July 29, 2011, 21 Posts, 137 Comments

Comment posted by Martin Dunn on March 16, 2013 at 9:00 AM

Nicely done Hans. Lying in the snow. That' s dedication man.
The dull light works well and keeps the white breast feathers from overexposing.

Registered on February 20, 2013, 198 Posts, 1011 Comments

Comment posted by Chet Dowell on March 16, 2013 at 9:16 AM

Absolutely gorgeous, Hans. Wonderful subject, snow a huge plus and comp excellent. This is a winner.

Chet

Registered on December 3, 2012, 237 Posts, 1171 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Turner on March 16, 2013 at 9:23 AM

Hans,
This is as good as it gets from my perspective

The expression is outstanding and a touch of snow on the beak. Sweet

Registered on February 18, 2012, 534 Posts, 2755 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on March 16, 2013 at 5:35 PM

Love it Hans, the falling snow and the accumulation on the back is wonderful. I might be tempted to brighten the image just slightly, not sure it would help but might give a little bit of a spark to the face, hopefully without sacrificing the mood you have achieved.

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

Comment posted by Christine Adams on March 16, 2013 at 9:52 PM

Most excellent Hans!! I love the low angle, the snow on its back, its colors and pose and the monochromatic tones of the rest of the shot. Nicely done!!!

Registered on January 24, 2006, 119 Posts, 1871 Comments

Comment posted by Danny on March 17, 2013 at 12:10 AM

Stunning !! Falling snow look excellent in this and tells how cold it is (summer here). Beautiful shot and excellent exposure Hans. I think the only place here in NZ for these is in the lakes in the south island. I must get down there one day.

All the best Hans, the low angle of this makes the shots, love it !!

Danny.

Registered on November 25, 2003, 165 Posts, 1345 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on March 17, 2013 at 1:38 AM

A Simply Beautiful Photograph Hans!!!

Ken Archer

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

Comment posted by Patrick O'Healy on March 17, 2013 at 1:55 AM

Stunning

Registered on March 13, 2011, 326 Posts, 1679 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on March 17, 2013 at 2:23 AM

Excellent shot all the way around. Wonderful snow setting with low perspective and nice detail, well done.

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on March 17, 2013 at 3:24 AM

Fantastic Hans - great detail, low angle and eye contactand then there's the snow

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

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on March 17, 2013 at 4:32 AM

Thanks all for your reaction and suggestions ! Have a nice weekend all ! Hans

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments

Comment posted by William Bickle on March 17, 2013 at 9:09 AM

Hello Hans

SWEET IMAGE!

Bill

Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments

Comment posted by Craig Strand on March 17, 2013 at 10:08 AM

Very well taken, Love your signature low level POV, as usual giving a "Your there" flavor to the image.
Well done Hans!

Registered on March 30, 2008, 416 Posts, 2885 Comments

Comment posted by wade pettitt on March 17, 2013 at 10:47 AM

Simply amazing Hans.Focus, exposure and comp are spot on and the snows really adds to this photo.

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

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on March 17, 2013 at 9:55 PM

The low perspective has one floating right alongside the grebe. Outstanding image Hans.

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

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on March 18, 2013 at 3:25 PM

Fabulous!!

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by Soubhik Patranabis on March 20, 2013 at 1:37 PM

Awesome !!

Registered on January 25, 2010, 54 Posts, 610 Comments

Comment posted by Jenaya Launstein on March 20, 2013 at 7:02 PM

This is just gorgeous, Hans! I love the snow falling through the image, especially those little specks of snow on his face. Exceptional image! Congrats on the weekly pick, you certainly deserved this one!

Registered on February 8, 2011, 254 Posts, 1302 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on March 21, 2013 at 2:46 PM

Thanks everybody for your friendly words, comments and suggestions. And thanks for getting the WP

, have a nice day all ! Hans

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on March 21, 2013 at 5:38 PM

Congrats on the WP! I've come back to this image innumerable times just to admire...I think it is my all time favorite! Sharon

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

Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on March 22, 2013 at 12:41 AM

Suggestions? Ha-ha-ha! Send me a huge print!

Seriously, Hans, this is a gorgeous shot of the Grebe. We don't have this one in our area. It makes quite the presentation in extravagant headdress. Great angle of view; feels like I could reach out and gently touch it. The sense of personal contact/connection is powerful. Love the atmosphere created by the falling snow.

Congratulations on the award.

Registered on August 16, 2006, 603 Posts, 9192 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on March 24, 2013 at 8:00 PM

Very exceptional image, Hans - love the pose, the detail, the gray water and especially the snow on the back and one flake on the beak - marvelous!
Congrats on an excellent WP!
Sandy

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

Comment posted by Kirk Greene on March 26, 2013 at 2:06 PM

Fantastic all the way around!

Registered on May 12, 2004, 191 Posts, 1578 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Rebmann on March 28, 2013 at 5:12 PM

Crongrats on the WP. Magnificent image.

Paul

Registered on July 17, 2012, 31 Posts, 122 Comments

Comment posted by Greg Lessard on March 29, 2013 at 7:27 AM

Beautiful image Hans!

Registered on January 14, 2009, 38 Posts, 219 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on April 3, 2013 at 12:05 PM

Hello Hans

I was listening to Andre Rieu's waltzes on my cd , when i saw your WP win. congrats on a very special presentation

Albert Darmo
Canada

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Maile on April 6, 2013 at 10:40 AM

Absolutely one of the most beautiful duck images i've seen, congrats Hans!!!!

Registered on March 2, 2009, 984 Posts, 2518 Comments

Comment posted by Glenn Tunaley on April 8, 2013 at 12:49 AM

Really stunning image Hans!

Registered on March 1, 2013, 19 Posts, 93 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on April 9, 2013 at 5:44 PM

Congrats on 'Photo of the Month' Hans- a wonderful and very deserving image!

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

Comment posted by Celeste Brunell on April 12, 2013 at 5:42 PM

A 700 mm handheld @ 1/160? That's amazing, even if you were lying down.
Beautiful colors, with the red eye providing a very effective point of attention.
Just splendid!

Celeste Brunell
NY, USA

Registered on March 4, 2013, 0 Posts, 1 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on April 14, 2013 at 2:38 PM

Thanks once more for all your constructive remarks and friendly words. And to the person(s) who decided to make this shot POTM ! I feel very honoured ! Cheers,Hans

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments

Comment posted by Beth Huebner on April 17, 2013 at 7:05 PM

I love everything about this image- the colors of the Grebe, the snow on its back,its vibrancy against the grey background, and the side view capturing its eye. Congratulations on photo of the month award. Very well deserved.

Registered on January 28, 2013, 19 Posts, 56 Comments

Comment posted by Patrick O'Healy on April 18, 2013 at 8:48 PM

I am sure I cannot add to the 43 comments before mine. Suffice it to say I love the shot.

Registered on March 13, 2011, 326 Posts, 1679 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on January 5, 2014 at 6:17 PM

HUGE CONGRATS on the 2013 Avian win!!! A very exceptional image -
Sandy

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

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on January 5, 2014 at 11:29 PM

A huge congratulations on this year's award, Hans. Well deserved. A beautiful photo.

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

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on January 6, 2014 at 3:14 AM

WOW !.... Thanks to all that liked this image and thanks of course to the editors for choosing my image as a winner... Still blushing in Holland, cheers, Hans

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments

Comment posted by Daniel & Loana on January 6, 2014 at 5:57 AM

Congrats on the 2013 win!

D&L

Registered on October 7, 2008, 166 Posts, 3044 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on January 6, 2014 at 6:18 AM

Awesome! This was my pick as we'll! Congratulations Hans!

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

Comment posted by May Haga on January 6, 2014 at 9:24 AM

Gorgeous image, love the snow. Congratulations. Well deserved.
May

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

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on January 6, 2014 at 9:46 AM

Congratulations Hans!

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

Comment posted by Bill Fach on January 6, 2014 at 11:33 PM

Hans: I'm certainly not a bird guy but this transcends genre. Just a fabulous capture of the moment. Congrats on the EPA. >=))>

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

Comment posted by John Robinson on January 7, 2014 at 9:05 AM

Hi Hans
No need to blush !!
Great shot.
Cheers
John

Registered on March 2, 2008, 535 Posts, 2453 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on January 7, 2014 at 10:36 AM

Gorgeous, and so deserving of its Award!

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Basri Akcasoy on January 7, 2014 at 2:56 PM

Hans, congratulations...
Thank you very much for sharing this amazing shot with us.

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on January 21, 2014 at 12:52 PM

Congratulations Hans, a wonderful shot all the way around.

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

Comment posted by Ingrid Vekemans on January 25, 2014 at 12:25 PM

And congrats on your 1st place - beautiful shot!

Ingrid.

Registered on August 2, 2010, 138 Posts, 780 Comments