Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2008/07/07
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]lovely and instructive on technique thanks ric On Jul 7, 2008, at 2:12 AM, wildlightphoto@earthlink.net wrote: > Aechmophorus is the genus name of two grebes (family Podicipedidae) > found in western North America, the Western Grebe (Aechmophorus > occidentalis) and the Clark's Grebe (Aechmophorus clarkii). These > were formerly considered conspecific but were split in the last few > years. > > Outward differences include the extent of black on the bird's head, > and the bill coloration. Western Grebe has more black, extending > below the eye, and a greenish-yellow bill. The black cap of the > Clark's Grebe does not extend below the eye, and the bill is more > orange-yellow: > > http://wildlightphoto.com/birds/podicipedidae/wegr00.jpg > http://wildlightphoto.com/birds/podicipedidae/clgr01.jpg > > Technical stuff: I wanted land or vegetation behind the birds > reflecting in the water to avoid a glaring bright reflection of the > sky, so in order to get close enough to the birds with this > background I needed to be in the water looking back toward shore. > The kayak seemed the most suitable tool, being small, easily > maneuvered and close to the water's surface. > > I also chose early morning for these photos so that the light would > be at a low angle and the water's surface would have a minimum of > ripples. As it turned out the morning hours also had the best > quality light because our brief respite from forest fire smoke ended > in the morning hours, and because the lake is popular with many > people with paddle craft. I was in the water by 7:30 AM and headed > for home by 9:30 AM > > Camera equipment: R8/DMR, 560mm f/6.8 Telyt, shoulder stock > Exposure: 1/2000 sec @ f/6.8 > Location: Lake Natoma, near Folsom California > Date: 06 July 2008 > > All comments welcome > > Doug Herr > Birdman of Sacramento > http://www.wildlightphoto.com > > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information