Guard Duty

Sharkbait · Apr 14, 2004

Shot this last weekend at my parents' farm. They've got a 15 acre wetlands area where my dad flooded out the corners of two fields to revert them to a wildlife habitat. The beavers moved in and made a bunch of dams, and now the geese are nesting on top of the dams. Pretty sure this is the female of a pair, and she's guarding either eggs or young; the male stayed in the water about 15 feet away. Both just stared at us the whole time we were there shooting. Because of the water, could only get to within about 30ft of them, so this is shot with the 300mm zoom.

terri · Apr 14, 2004

I love everything about this image: the story behind it and the image itself are wonderful!

If I HAD to nitpik :mrgreen: I'd say a couple steps to the left or right might have shown off mama's neck and face a little more, as opposed to straight on. (And I agree it's probably mama goose.)

But given the distance and not wanting to disturb them, I'd say overall it's a grand shot! :sun:

Digital Matt · Apr 14, 2004

Wow, great shot. The water is so blue

It looks a little bit soft though, on the head of the goose. Maybe that's just me. I also agree with what Terri said, but overall, great shot

A.Rotshtein · Apr 14, 2004

Very nice shot, But I hate to see the weeds sticking up at the front.

But still I liked it a lot :wink:

AR

Lungfarmer · Apr 14, 2004

Very nice

I agree with the other but I still like it a lot, and the story behind it. I think it's so wonderful that your father created that habitat

canonrebel · Apr 14, 2004

:thumbsup:

I like the theme. I like the story. I like the colors. I have no idea why the composition works, but who cares about composition when a captured moment is this compelling.

You did good. Nice shot
MNJ

Harpper · Apr 14, 2004

I have to agree with the others. The story it captures it what makes the shot for me. The bird is in an akward position which I usually don't see. It makes me stop and try to figure out what is going on.

canonrebel · Apr 14, 2004

I have to agree with the others. The story it captures it what makes the shot for me. The bird is in an akward position which I usually don't see. It makes me stop and try to figure out what is going on.

The Goose is displaying it's threat mode with it's outstretched neck. That's a defensive posture for geese. It is warning a danger threat that it will defend it's clutch.

luckydog · Apr 15, 2004

Great pic Shark.
A little 5 minute dabble in photoshop will hide those reeds in the foreground.
As for goosies posture, this is what i know. By lowering her head and facing directly at the threat she is blending into her own body and giving the appearance that she is bigger than she actually is. So it's part bluff but have no fear she will defend with much vigor.

Paradigm_Shift · Apr 15, 2004

Yeah, the reeds in the foreground disturb the shot somewhat, but the composition and story is awesome. Nice job.

Sharkbait · Apr 15, 2004

canonrebel said:
I have to agree with the others. The story it captures it what makes the shot for me. The bird is in an akward position which I usually don't see. It makes me stop and try to figure out what is going on.

Click to expand...

The Goose is displaying it's threat mode with it's outstretched neck. That's a defensive posture for geese. It is warning a danger threat that it will defend it's clutch.

Oh yeah, most definitely. We used to raise geese sometimes when I was a kid, and they are truly the debbil's creatures! Good lord can they be mean. The other end of a 300mm zoom is just about as close as I would like to get to this one, water or no water in between. I've had a (supposedly tame) goose draw blood on me through jeans before. :shock: :?

Thanks for all the great comments everyone!