Sarita Yeola
July 2025 - Horned Grebe with Babies
About the Image(s)
This image of Horned Grebes (Podiceps auritus), was taken in Iceland. I was standing by bank of a lake and noticed a parent kept returning with fish to the marshy area right below me. So I waited in the hope that there were little ones that would come out in the open waters. My patience paid off when this parent came out with the babies on the back and I was super excited that they were facing in my direction. I also witnessed the parent feed the babies and at one point the babies had enough courage to swim by themselves. For this image I cropped the original, adjusted the light setting in LR and removed distraction in the water.
Nikon z8 @ 500mm, f/5.6, 1/2000, ISO 5600
5 comments posted
Sarita, I like this image very much. The elegance and colors of the adult are impressive, and the riding chick tell the whole story and becomes the central point of interest. Your wait paid off. Posted: 07/08/2025 23:24:13
Wow Sarita I love this image, the chicks are just so cute. Your patience definitely paid off - what a moment to witness. Posted: 07/21/2025 01:14:35
Really nice shot of mom and chicks. You have left just enough space in front of the bird for it to swim into. Very nice. If you could have gotten lower to be more at eye level with the bird it would have been great. The one baby chick might have been looking at you directly. Perhaps you might try darkening the background water. Punching up the eye color a bit always adds impact. Special shot! Posted: 07/22/2025 00:00:13
Hi Sarita - A stellar shot of Grebe parent and chicks! I do agree with Doug that the upper background could be darkened slightly to make the birds stand out even more. Doug's other suggestion to get lower would be good - if it were possible. However, I had the same issue recently shooting muskrats from a boardwalk above the water - although I do carry a foam kneeling pad clipped to my belt for such situations, there was just no way to move and get any lower without scaring my subjects away. Posted: 07/22/2025 21:01:27
Great composition! And for anyone who is interested in fluid dynamics - the water surface is beautiful! Posted: 07/29/2025 03:34:40