For my tastes this setting couldn’t be much better for a Tundra Swan in flight.
1/2000, f/8, 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
I photographed this swan last February at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge not long after it took off from the water. For me this setting fairly screams “Bear River MBR” because of the Promontory Mountains behind the bird and the foreground and background layers of phragmites at the bottom of the frame with the shallow water of Unit 2 in-between. The swan is sharp, I like its flight posture and I think its placement in the frame and in the setting works well.
But for me the icing on the cake is the horizontal layering throughout the background, all the way from the sky above the mountains down to and including the water at the bottom of the frame. I think it adds a fairly subtle but still interesting and unusual aspect to the image.
Ron
PS – Sorry for the somewhat abbreviated post today. Late yesterday afternoon I spent several difficult hours in a dentist’s chair and as I write this I’m still a little rocky. I don’t do dentists well, even though mine, Dr. Kelly O’brien, is among the very best. Without his soft touch, compassion and sense of humor I’d be a basket case. But then when it comes to dental work I’ll admit to being a wuss.
This is another “wall-worthy” shot, Ron! Wowzers! I especially like the way the swan’s neck matches the slope of the mountain behind it. Absolutely beautiful!
I’m sorry about your dental distress. I’ve been very fortunate in that regard to have had fantastic dentists and to have required little beyond a couple of childhood fillings, braces (with headgear — street cred and all 😉 ), and regular checkups/cleanings. Both my father-in-law and my husband have had many recent dental woes. Knowing what they’ve gone through, I send my genuine sympathies your way.
You’ve led a charmed life when it comes to dentists, Marty. I’m very jealous.
Stunning! The first thing I noticed before reading (I know…I’m that student, lol) was the way the layers built up behind the swan. This could be a contest winner if you were into that sort of thing.
I don’t enter contests but I appreciate knowing you like it that much, Arwen.
This is a glorious image. If I didn’t know your ethics well I would assume that the swan was in a spotlight. The bright light on it, and the muted background make for an incredible shot.
Dentists? I feel for you. Ours is a lovely (and skilled) professional and I still apply the panic grip to the side of the chair as soon as I hear ‘open wide’. And don’t get me started on what I wish on the woman who slapped my face when a tear formed (but didn’t fall) in my eye when I was in her chair as a child.
Geez, your childhood dental experiences sound worse than mine, EC. Much worse.
Love it!
Thanks, Judy.
Very nice shot, Ron. That is a fave…
Thank you, Art.
That’s a gorgeous shot, Ron, for all the reasons you mention. Also, the whites are so illuminated yet they contain a lot of detail. Overall the image is somewhat surrealistic.
You mentioned something that I wondered if anyone would notice – the relatively bright light on the swan. One of the things I like about the photo is the bit of a spotlight effect on the bird because it had full sun on it and everything else in the image had filtered light. Good eye, Ricardo.
Simply beautiful! The background has the appearance of a watercolor painting with it’s soft muted tones. The single swan stands out in sharp contrast…simply beautiful. ❤️ It makes you wonder what is in the distance along the foothills…
“It makes you wonder what is in the distance along the foothills”
I actually know what’s there very well, Kathy. I’m often at the base of those mountains. Thanks very much.
I agree, it’s a spectacular shot!
I’m glad you like it Charlotte. Thanks.
A beautiful shot of a very beautiful bird. Love Tundra Swans and we currently have three of them who have been hanging around for a couple months now much to the delight of all the nature photographers. Ron, I understand the dental wuss thing, but I have to tell you that both of the two dentists I have had in my adult life have told me that I am their favorite patient. I have always been completely relaxed and fearless in the dental chair. Of course like all of us I have a few other fears, but dental no.
Everett Sanborn, Prescott AZ
Thanks, Everett. I’m wound up tight as a spring in that chair. I’m sure part of my “dental hangover” is simply recovery symptoms from all of that tension for what seemed like an eternity.
BEAUTIFUL! 🙂 The subtle horizontal lines emphasize the forway motion of the swan and all the layers add context to a beautiful bird… 🙂 Swan is sharp with good detail showing in the white feathers without sacrificing other detail in the bird. Well done! 🙂 Sorry about the dental woes – no fun for sure even tho they’ve come a LONG way in our life times………
Thank you, Judy. Actually, it was a dentist in Cut Bank when I was a kid who turned me into such a dental wuss. He terrified everyone in town, kids to adults. I’ll never forget some of my experiences in his chair.
Yes, Cut Bank…Coldest outside air temperature I ever experienced. Minus 36, and cold enough there was an arctic vertical spire on all of the lights seen out in the distance. (I think that is ‘ice blink.’)
Your comment made me smile, George. And shiver. I saw Cut Bank colder than -40 many, many times over the years. Coldest ever was -53 on our farm 17 miles nw of town but I barely remember that one because I was just a little kid. My folks talked about it often.