Mary Ann Carrasco
March 2025 - Snow Geese at Cosumnes River Preserve
Original
About the Image(s)
Nikon Z9 with 150-600 lens at 600mm, f/11, 1/2000, ISO 800, hand held, taken in January 2025.
The snow geese migrate through this area annually and it is phenomenal to see them take off in such large flocks. One has to be patient for it! I edited this in camera raw and changed to landscape, removed power lines, etc. In Photoshop I used the burn tool to take down the brightness of the white area behind the tree in the background. I look forward to your comments and suggestions.
5 comments posted
Hi Mary Ann,
At first, I thought that it's the scene of cherry blossom trees across the Tidal Basin in Washington DC! The birds in the river and a huge flock of birds in flight give a positive impression and make the scene peaceful!
I'd prefer to have a bit of space on the top and both sides of the image, if possible, since some birds are cut off, or to remove birds that flew alone. Nice scene! Posted: 03/07/2025 08:07:56
At first, I thought that it's the scene of cherry blossom trees across the Tidal Basin in Washington DC! The birds in the river and a huge flock of birds in flight give a positive impression and make the scene peaceful!
I'd prefer to have a bit of space on the top and both sides of the image, if possible, since some birds are cut off, or to remove birds that flew alone. Nice scene! Posted: 03/07/2025 08:07:56
Mary Ann, the number of snow geese in your photo is truly amazing. The white of the flying and swimming geese draws my attention. I think you could emphasize the geese even more by selecting and darkening the background. Perhaps a vignette might help too to keep the eye within the photo's edges. Posted: 03/17/2025 15:50:49
Mary Ann, I can imagine how patient you must need to be to wait until they all decide to fly at same time. That you were able to get it extending to 600mm on your less is impressive. But that may be why I have a little problem with the lack of detail in the flying birds and the softness of the swimming birds. Given the distance and circumstances you got a good shot. Posted: 03/19/2025 02:39:59
Mary Ann, Cosunes Wildlife Presrve is near me, but I have never seen such a great rising of the geese. A huge flock of birds is one of my favorite shots to view. One recently won first place at our semi annual FotoClave conference that is held in the San Francisco area. You worked the corrections beautifully. Very nice that the birds are mostly sharp despite their movements. Posted: 03/20/2025 21:01:57
Hi Mary Ann.
Snow geese are favorite subjects for many members of my camera club. The Skagit Valley just north of Seattle is also a place where the geese winter over. Your image captures these amazing birds in nice detail. I like how the image represents multiple layers of interest, from the soft focus reeds and water in the foreground to the swimming birds and on up to the huge flying flock in front of the background trees. Well done! Posted: 03/21/2025 16:55:18
Snow geese are favorite subjects for many members of my camera club. The Skagit Valley just north of Seattle is also a place where the geese winter over. Your image captures these amazing birds in nice detail. I like how the image represents multiple layers of interest, from the soft focus reeds and water in the foreground to the swimming birds and on up to the huge flying flock in front of the background trees. Well done! Posted: 03/21/2025 16:55:18