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Mute Swan
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Mute Swan

by Norma Tareila Matl

Gallery: AvianPosted July 8, 20181,452 views5 comments
As I was photographing in Martha's Vineyard I heard something HISS at me. Looking through the reeds I saw a mother and 6 cygnets in a grassy nest. After she calmed down I went back and photographed her with this weed in her mouth. 

Nikon D500, 210mm, f11,iso 20000

Comments

5 comments
Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on July 8, 2018 at 4:12 PM
Very nice portrait! I love the detail and the weed meal, as well as the small drool. Looks like a few dust bunnies, middle towards the bottom. Did you really manage to get this noise free, or even noise reduced at ISO 20000? I can see this at ISO 2000.
Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments
Comment posted by Shirley Freeman on July 8, 2018 at 4:27 PM
Glad that you were able to go back and get a shot, Norma.  That was the right thing to do to not stress her with her young, by letting her calm down.  I like the head shot (and long neck).  I agree with Phil about the dust spots.  Otherwise, a nice shot.
Registered on May 27, 2017, 77 Posts, 844 Comments
Comment posted by Norma Tareila Matl on July 8, 2018 at 4:40 PM
I did not even see those dust spots, removed them. Thanks. I checked the ISO again and the setting really was 20000 with 4 zeros. Not sure how I managed the noise reduction. Thank you Phil and Sandy for your comments. 
Registered on October 27, 2016, 229 Posts, 393 Comments
Comment posted by Dennis Plank on July 8, 2018 at 9:17 PM
Excellent job on a difficult exposure, Norma.  both the blacks and whites are loaded with detail.I like the open beak and the dangling vegetation.  I do see some odd double spots in three places (looks like Phil caught them first-you got all but the pair in the upper left corner).  Sweet image.  Amazing for iso 20000.
Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments
Comment posted by Allen Brooks on July 8, 2018 at 10:30 PM
A very nice close-up look at the swan. Excellent detail and handling of the whites.  Perhaps a bit more room on the left.
Registered on July 27, 2011, 262 Posts, 2597 Comments