The great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus)—elegant and watchful—carries one of her young safely upon her back. The older sibling floats close, its bright eyes fixed longingly on the coveted perch. Not far off, the father dives beneath the surface, hunting in the shimmering depths.
Making-of:
It was during a midday lunch-break wander along the western lakeside of lake Jyväsjärven, Jyväskylä, near the university bridge, that I happened upon this scene. I went on the middle of the bridge to get closer. The light was gentle, the air still. With the Sony RX10M4 extended to its full 600mm reach, an aperture of f/5.6, and a shutter speed fast enough to freeze the slightest ripple—1/2500s—I captured the grebe family from my on the bridge, careful not to intrude. Click the picture for high resolution format.
Michael Emmerich 