For me the water reflections in this image almost steal the show from both the grebe and the fish.
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
The photo was taken early last month at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. The grebe spent an unusual amount of time “playing” with the fish so I had many opportunities for photos but I especially liked those taken when the bird swam closer to the phragmites on the far shore of the canal which gave me these reflections in the water. For my tastes their swirling patterns and colors provide an added dimension of appeal, to the point that they actually compete with the bird (which may not be a good thing for some). I find my eye spending almost as much time roving over the water’s surface as it does on the grebe and fish.
Truth be told the image needs some clockwise rotation to make it level but doing so would cause me to lose more of the reflection of the bird’s head so I let it be. I was going to close by saying the slight tilt of the image is the lesser of two evils but in this election season I’ve come to really dislike that phrase…
Ron
Have you tried cropping out the reflection of neck and fish? I think it makes for a simpler image and to me it does not then look “busy” at all.
Yes, I tried that, Anne. Didn’t like it at all because of the cut off reflection of both head and fish.
I love how the reflection is different from the bird. The built-up water at the bird’s neck, and wake, with bubbles, at the other end., indicate it was swimming with speed
..wow! what a rich and compelling photo! I would never get tired of looking at this.
Congratulations to both bird and photographer!
SUE
It was swimming at a pretty good clip, Sue.
Gorgeous! The patterns in the water make the photo for me!
Thanks, Marty.
I too am a huge fan of certain water reflections and have been successful with them in my images. I LOVE this shot! You already know I love your Grebes and they just keep getting better. With my new Nikon D500 body I got a shot of a Reddish Egret with a fish dropping into its bill with both the eye and body of the fish visible and the Egret’s eye as well. That was only my second time to use the new body. Need I say I went to my “Happy Place”, Bolsa Chica, two days in a row?!
Sounds like you’re having fun with that new camera, Phyllis. Good for you!
Marvelous shot Ron!
Thanks, Charlotte.
Sometimes I think that nits are an integral part of your daily diet. Sigh. They aren’t good for you.
Love that image, and am fascinated by the water. ‘Shot silk’. And beyond beautiful.
“Sometimes I think that nits are an integral part of your daily diet”
In my defense, EC. 🙂 – I cut my photographic teeth on an online photo critique forum (Nature Photographer’s Network) and all of us learned to look very carefully at both the strengths and the weaknesses of an image. I still do it, with my own images and those of others. Can’t help myself…
Very nice Ron. Not only do I like the circle patterns on the water, but the colors as well. I have always loved this bird. Especially the eyes. First time I saw this bird at a near by lake, my mouth flew open. The eyes just pop out at you!
Agreed about their eyes, Jean. Thank you.
I spent a good while looking at this wonderful image. What is amazing is that you froze the action of the grebe, yet the reflections in the
water give the impression of movement, motion. It’s an image of the contemplative life: we seek to be still in the midst of life and let the outer whirling whirl. Then we can see and accept what’s there. Great photograph, Ron!!
I see what you mean about the implied motion of the water, Jane. Excellent observation.
I see what you like about the water patterns….reminds me of a kind of silk (moire?).. Not sure of the name or spelling. I like the slight angle of the bird, probably more interesting the way it is than if was rotated….(listen to Laura…when she’s through thwapping, I , and others, will want to take a turn…..)
I’m beginning to feel like a piñata…
You should!!!
No WAIT! There’s no ball bat involved 🙂 That would leave a mark…LOL!
This one gives me goosebumps, Ron! Makes me feel like I’m there- feet dangling off the end of the dock, toes in the chilly water!Thanks again for a wonderful way to start my day!
I like the way you put that, Diane. Thank you.
Just stunningly beautiful, Ron. And stop picking nits or I’ll have to thwap you upside the head again. You do NOT want that to happen! 🙂
Again, thank you!
I sure don’t. I already have lumps up there, Laura! 🙂
I’m one who would prefer to see either the bird or the water patterns. I like both, but not together. My eyes have difficulty staying on either one, and the effect is to make my eyes hurt, just as some of the blurry backgrounds do.
An interesting perspective, Susan. Thanks for your honesty.
Love the image Ron. The water in the background is great, giving it a “dreamy look”.
Thanks very much, Ed.
I know what you mean about “wishing” for a lower angle… I do a lot of shooting from my full sized Ford van,
and I too wish quite often that I could shoot from “eye level” with my subject. The reality is that it is not
always possible to get out, and shoot from ground level.. traffic, “skittish” subjects, etc., make that wish
unrealistic. So, we have to find a way when we are served lemons, to make lemonade. It is rarely possible
to predict what subjects we might fine, or the quality of the image that we will get on any outing, and there
in lies the “draw”of nature photography… ;-)))
Tradeoffs, Roger. There’s always tradeoffs…
Very nice shot, and I agree with you on the movement, and visual impact of the water reflection.
Days gone by I used to “hoof it”. Got great landscape pics, few bird pics! All because of you I only shoot for avian and mammal critters from my truck or window, and I have to admit I get better results!!
I won’t go there on “tilt of the image”.
“I have to admit I get better results”
That’s absolutely the case with me, Dick. Open my pickup door and the birds are gone in an instant…
Beautiful! It does make ones eye roam around the picture adding to the image looking at the detail in the bird as well as the reflection and the water. 🙂 “Depends” on what one is after/likes. 🙂
““Depends” on what one is after/likes.”
Absolutely, Judy. It’s a matter of taste.
I think the dancing water patterns lift this image into a special realm–as always, the bird is beautiful–but the surrounds combine with the wildlife to add
an extra fillip !
Thank you, Kris.
A bird with a fish is not an uncommon shot, but water with this etherial look
is quite uncommon, and quite mesmerizing … I love this shot. The quality
of the water is what makes it quite special, and unique… Well done Ron,
well done…. ;-)))
Thanks, Roger, I’m glad you like it. I do wish I had a lower angle on the bird but I seldom get low angles when shooting from my pickup. On the other hand I’d never have been able to get the shot if I’d been hoofin’ it.