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The Dance of Love


The Dance of Love
Photo Information
Copyright: Andy Manning (toucan1967) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 723 W: 131 N: 828] (4573)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-05-18
Categories: Daily Life, Nature
Camera: Canon EOS 40 D, Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/250 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Birds [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-05-20 9:07
Viewed: 319
Points: 30
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
These two Great Crested Grebes (Podiceps cristatus) were in the middle of their courtship dance, it was quite interesting to watch.

Thanks to all who take the time to view and comment on my pictures,

PP
Converted from RAW
Cropped
Neatimage
Resized for TL
USM



Latin name
Podiceps cristatus

Family
Grebes (Podicipedidae)

Overview
A delightfully elegant waterbird with ornate head plumes which led to its being hunted for its feathers, almost leading to its extermination from the UK. They dive to feed and also to escape, preferring this to flying. On land they are clumsy because their feet are placed so far back on their bodies. They have an elaborate courtship display in which they rise out of the water and shake their heads. Very young grebes often ride on their parents' backs.

Where to see them
Lowland lakes, gravel pits, reservoirs and rivers. Also found along coasts in winter.

When to see them
All year round

What they eat
Mainly fish


Info from RSPB
trampas, codge, jean11-3, Goodwitch, hester has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To eosnut: Thankstoucan1967 1 05-24 09:42
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Critiques [Translate]

hi toucan,
excellent photo here, love the mirror effect, great ripple reflection too..

great ripple reflections...great colours and sharp detail...nice1..

cheers...harry

  • Great 
  • twin Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 447 W: 134 N: 198] (7288)
  • [2008-05-20 10:11]

it is a wonderful composition... great with the reflection...
well done my friend...

Witaj Andy,
Splendid grebes. Excellent colours and sharpness.
Gratulje i pozdrawiam - Roma

hi andy.
you lucky man.
i have never been able to get close enough to photgraph grebes as they always seem to avoid me.
you have captured this beautifuly.
congrats.
Brian

  • Great 
  • codge Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 100 W: 13 N: 73] (611)
  • [2008-05-20 12:39]

Nice capture Andy,
Love the pose that you have caught so well. Lovely and sharp with great detail. well done
Regards
Codge

Hello Andy,this is a beautiful capture of the Grebes.The composition is just fine with wonderful reflections and the rippled water.

We have been watching Grebes near us just recently; one day they were acting very strangely, but I am sure it wasn't a courtship dance.
Tfs,regards Jean.

Hiya Andy

Nice sharp shot here, good detail and a special moment captured

TFS regards Helen

  • Great 
  • mcoco Gold Star Critiquer [C: 65 W: 0 N: 1] (602)
  • [2008-05-20 14:17]

Hi Andy,

i am trying for a while to take a nice picture from a "fuut" as we call this bird. I didn't succeed, you did!
Great mirror effect.

TFS
Marco

Hi andy

what an smashing shot! Real crisp stark detail on those head shots - looks like it was great fun to watch

Nice one

cheers
Linzi

  • Great 
  • efi Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 209 W: 13 N: 165] (3055)
  • [2008-05-21 2:03]

hi andy;
one of the best of your captures..could be a postcard or published on any kind of magazines.they themselves are very interesting and sharp and perfectly reflected..bravosimmo ...

  • Great 
  • karith Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 972 W: 46 N: 885] (6106)
  • [2008-05-21 14:51]

Quite a shot, with good reflections and ripples in the water for extra interest, as if any were needed while enjoying the sight of these two birds facing off...romantically:) You've captured the intensity of their gaze and the amazing plumage on their heads very well. Superb!

  • Great 
  • kross1 Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 485 W: 11 N: 756] (3008)
  • [2008-05-21 21:13]

Andy,
Great picture, the color and detail in the birds is very good. The birds reflection is nice as well.
Regards,
Kevin

Hi Andy,
This is very good, sharp and detailed. The circle of ripples frames the two birds beautifully.
To me it is hard to tell the male from the female, can you?
IMO, a little cropped from the top would focu attention more on to the birds.
Cheers,
Pete.

  • Great 
  • hester Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1378 W: 31 N: 1576] (9677)
  • [2008-05-25 14:27]

Hi Andy

What a lovely sight and you caught them in a perfect pose. Nicely composed, sharp and with a good exposure. A real spring shot

TFS

Karan

Superb shot - I'm envious as I've never been fortunate enough to see grebes dancing like this. Lovely colours and great composition, keeping the reflections in the shot so well.
Thanks for sharing
Mark

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