The Swan

paulcookphotography · #1 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008, 14:03

Photographers Comments
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A resting swan nestling its head under its wing.

Cropped to square format, HDR processed and slightly de-saturated.

View on BLACK

ropedope · #2 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008, 14:50

done the vote, stunning shot Paul, slight departure from your normal shots?

paulcookphotography · #3 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008, 15:05

Thanks Terry. Yes, its a bit different form my usual landscapes, but i do a fair bit of nature/wildlife work too

**Dennyboy** · #4 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008, 15:06

Very different PC, like this departure from the dark and moody stuff indeed!

Different angle on a very photographed bird.

paulcookphotography · #5 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008, 15:08

Cheers, mate! See, i do have a soft, cuddly side too...

**Dennyboy** · #6 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008, 15:14

Knowing you, Bet its a rare "KILLER" swan! sort of a mutant ninja jobby! this is its death stare, sorry.....always have overactive imagination!

**Tawny** · #7 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008, 18:15

I like your other side Paul! love the pose you captured the swan in and the tight crop really works well, and it looks like a youngster as you have caught his dark downy feathers that are still showing beautifully.

paulcookphotography · #8 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008, 19:03

Thanks Bev.

This is indeed an adolescent swan. Sadly, one of the permanent breeding pair (the cob) from the pond next to the house died after hitting cables last year, and this is one of his three cygnets. Its other two siblings left the pond successfully earlier in the year, but this young fellow has decided to stay with mum.

Len · #9 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008, 21:13

Very different shot from you Paul; However it is up to your brilliant standard; the crop has worked well and brings out the feather and water droplet detail.

paulcookphotography · #10 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008, 21:23

Cheers Len. I always appreciate comments (good or bad!), but especially on the shots that are a bit different from what people may expect from me.

I have to give credit to the swans though. This one, and its mum, are very good models - even in the pouring rain when i was shooting this. They are quite happy for Katie (my dog) to be sitting next to me, and to eat out my hand. For another shoot, mum even let me remove a stray feather from her bill and push the 10-20mm Sigma in her face!