Goose portraits

[FlyingSquirrel]

Here are some goose portraits I took a few months ago with my 400mm 5.6L, hand held. I got on my stomach and slowly inched closer over a period of a few minutes. The goose looked more confused and curiously interested, than anything else. The same goes for all of the people walking and riding their bikes down the path 2 feet to the right of me.

[NorthernFocus]

Excellent exposure, detail, and BG. Nice work. Crawling will be tougher with that new lens

[FrankMi]

Hi Matt, these images are so stunning in their sharpness that I think I see your outline against the sky in the catch light of the goose's eye! I like the first one best because his head is turned more toward you. The single blade of grass in the last one is a distraction that could easily be remedied.

[FlyingSquirrel]

Thanks a lot for your feedback and comments, Dan.
Frank, thank you! I appreciate your point of view, however I prefer the grass blade in the photo, because the goose was feeding and it is dangling out of the beak. I think it adds a comical look to the photo paired with the head angle and eye look.

[Wavelength]

Lovely images

[IzzieK]

I was just about to say the same thing about the same thing Frank... (I am always late to the party I suppose...)

Matt ... nice series though in the second one that Frank suggested the grass could be photoshopped out, I failed to see the comic of the situation myself unless you can probably show the whole shot with it's head up and some grass at his feet...that was what the story the second photo lacks.

Hi Matt, these images are so stunning in their sharpness that I think I see your outline against the sky in the catch light of the goose's eye! ..........

[jprzybyla]

I agree with all that has been written above, nice images Matt. I read your comment Matt regarding the blade of grass, if it were dangling out of it's mouth on this side I would agree with you but the way it is makes it appear to be just dangling without showing the goose was feeding on it.

[StephHamish]

I love that blade of grass hanging down from the goose's beak in the second picture. It as if its posing. I love all the pictures, but for some reason, considering just the last two, that second one is so much more exiciting! Even more real. Who would have thought one blade of grass would make such a difference ...?

[chauncey]

Stellar, but...do ya think that your reflection in the eyes is nothing more than a shameless selfie.

[FlyingSquirrel]

Thanks all for the comments. Isabel, Joe, thank you for your feedback. You made really great points and I am leaning toward agreeing with you more now that I thought about it. This will help me in the future when considering this type of shot and editing it.

[Bobobird]

Superbo. Love the colour, detail, all. Great job.

[jamn4ex]

Great pics! Be careful when crawling towards geese. Not only will they flog the ---t out of you, But a lot of the time you will find yourself crawling in their ---t.

[ajsmith]

Nice photos. I like the second one because of the position of the head. The blade of grass is fine with me. The geese almost always have grass stuck to their beaks.

[Shadowman]

Very nice.

[Downrigger]

wonderfully captured and rendered. Crisp and expressive.

[FlyingSquirrel]

Thanks again to all for the comments. Glad you enjoyed.