Time off in the park - duck & grebes

[alanhill]

I never get much chance for photography at this time of year. The weather is unreliable and I'm too busy (or too tired). But the sun was shining yesterday morning so I spent an hour at Moses Gate Country Park in Bolton. In winter some wild birds join the tame mallards, swans and canada geese which rely on bread from the visitors. I wanted to shoot the little tufted ducks which clear up the scraps: this is a drake.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v322/alanhill/Birds/MosesGate04_100.jpg

The light was changing all the time as I was shooting. The sun was veiled by cloud here, so I couldn't quite catch the iridescence on his head.
Great crested grebes aren't interested in bread, but the presence of the other birds made them less wary. One came quite close as the sun made a final appearance.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v322/alanhill/Birds/MosesGate04_120.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v322/alanhill/Birds/MosesGate04_130.jpg

The seond grebe was rather whiter, and it posed contre jour.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v322/alanhill/Birds/MosesGate04_163.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v322/alanhill/Birds/MosesGate04_169.jpg

I got almost as interested in capturing the pattern and colour of the water as in portraying the bird.

Alan

[daniel364]

I like these shots and love the way the water has been captured espeacialy the 4th and 5th shot, they're really fashionable photos that i could see in one of tose mosern room with black and white IMO.

[squidfish]

Good job on the Grebes, Alan. I have yet to get to close enough to these to get some decent shots but its only a matter of time. I like the contre jour shots which form a very interesting background and compliment the near monotone of the bird.

Cheers

Rich

[Travis Bickle]

I like #3 alot! The waves the Bird, perfect. :)

[alanhill]

Thank you, guys.
These shots sank without trace on another forum. I know the last ones aren't conventional, but they are an accurate record of the bird in its situation and I rather like them - so I'm pleased that some discerning people agree ;)

Alan