[Leica] IMG: Aechmophorus

[afirkin at afirkin.com (Alastair Firkin)]

genu-flexions Doug, these are beautiful images, and the commentary is 
fantastic. Thanks for sharing so much: I am gonna have to learn to hand hold 
that 560mm now ;-) I wonder if I can convince the zodiacs to go out before 
breakfast in the Antarctic: worth the light!!!!

Cheers

--- wildlightphoto@earthlink.net wrote:

From: wildlightphoto@earthlink.net
To: "lug@leica-users.org" <lug@leica-users.org>, LEG <leica@freelists.org>,  
      LeicaReflex <leicareflex@freelists.org>
Cc:
Subject: [Leica] IMG: Aechmophorus
Date: Sun, 6 Jul 2008 23:12:09 -0700 (GMT-07:00)

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



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