Surfin'

Gallery: AvianPosted March 31, 2014270 views9 comments

Merganser female in the surf near Ft Myers, Fl
She was one of a group of 6, cooperating well to round up small fish for all of them.

D800
500mm
1/320 sec, f/8
Mode: Av
Metering: Spot
ISO: 400
AF mode: AF-C
White balance: AUTO1+2
Flash: Off

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Scott Frye on March 31, 2014 at 3:37 PM

Nice action -- with great detail in the waves -- nice to see the foreground in focus

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

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on March 31, 2014 at 7:33 PM

Nice action.

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

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on March 31, 2014 at 8:03 PM

A very neat shot, Sandy. I love the way she's half buried in the surf. My only nit is that the eye doesn't seem to pop. You might try brightening it a touch and see if you like the effect.

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

Comment posted by Patrick O'Healy on March 31, 2014 at 9:20 PM

Sandy,
Great catch. I don't think I have ever seen a bird remain in the surf and allow the wave to wash over it. When do you leave for Africa?

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

Comment posted by Rick Cloran on April 1, 2014 at 5:46 PM

Sandy, a solid comp with nice detail and excellent action. This is one case where I don't think preserving the fell of overcast lighting is worth it. I'd push the whites in the surf close to true white and let the added brightness bring her out even more.

Registered on April 6, 2004, 119 Posts, 1989 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on April 1, 2014 at 9:52 PM

Great action shot Sandy. I like the water rolling over the Merganser's back

Registered on February 6, 2008, 168 Posts, 3118 Comments

Comment posted by David Haynes on April 2, 2014 at 12:10 AM

Sandy,
Looks like a lot of work for some fish. Also looks like a lot of fun. Killing two bi... with one stone.

Wonderfully sharp considering all the commotion in the frame. You did very well on the exposure too. Looks like you had a nice overcast day to shoot. Perfect head turn. Never seen anything like this before. Thanks for sharing this. Looks like you had a great trip to Florida!!! You've been posting some great stuff.

Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on April 2, 2014 at 10:42 AM

Unusual action capture Sandy, the perfect title.
Nice job getting the head sharp at 1/320th, like the sense of movement from the water..
Well done!

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

Comment posted by John Robinson on April 3, 2014 at 11:55 AM

I agree alittle more broghtness might help with this one but still a fine image and interesting one too.
JohnR

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