# Aren't I beautiful? I love me so much! **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** birds\ **Created:** [March 22, 2026, 4:16pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/arent-i-beautiful-i-love-me-so-much/50200 "2026-03-22T16:16:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dennis\_Plank](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dennis_plank/32/27033_2.png) [@Dennis\_Plank](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dennis_Plank)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2026, 4:16pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/arent-i-beautiful-i-love-me-so-much/50200/1 "2026-03-22T16:16:47Z")
![-20260315-_SA17448-McLane Creek-DxO_DeepPRIME 3-Edit.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/f/7/f74a1a04d41e52cd3275054777995db76066f60f.jpeg) > **Critique Style Requested:** _Standard_ > > The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image. ### Description I know it’s anthropomorphic, but this goose just looked like it was caressing itself and thought it was the most wonderful creature ever. I actually caught two or three grooming sequences that were almost identical and included this “pose”. ### Specific Feedback A pretty substantial crop and lots of cleanup. Does the water come across as natural after all the cleanup? ### Technical Details Sony A1, FE200-600 + 1.4 tc @ 407 mm, monopod, f/8, 1/1600, iso 8000. Noise reduction in DxO PureRaw 5, processed in LR & PS CC. Cleanup in PS and luminosity adjustments in LR. Cropped to 4976x3472. Taken March 15th at 9:06 a.m. under cloudy skies. ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_Fach](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/bill_fach/32/78290_2.png) [@Bill\_Fach](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Bill_Fach)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2026, 7:52pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/arent-i-beautiful-i-love-me-so-much/50200/2 "2026-03-22T19:52:21Z")
Dennis: A goose narcissist, who’d have thunk it? The water here is still killer. An unconventional pose and an unconventional capture and all the better for it. 👍 👍\>=))\> ---
**Author:** ![Kris\_Smith](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/kris_smith/32/59826_2.png) [@Kris\_Smith](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Kris_Smith)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2026, 10:32pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/arent-i-beautiful-i-love-me-so-much/50200/3 "2026-03-22T22:32:08Z")
It does look a bit self involved for sure. Preening does have that aspect about it even though for birds it’s essential, especially waterfowl. I like the sensual feel of this in term of behavior and the light and water. Good sharpness and balance in the framing. Geese are funny even when they aren’t having spats with each other. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_Peters](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/don_peters/32/87970_2.png) [@Don\_Peters](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Don_Peters)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2026, 10:48pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/arent-i-beautiful-i-love-me-so-much/50200/4 "2026-03-22T22:48:44Z")
Dennis, this one made me smile. A fine shot. ---
**Author:** ![Allen\_Sparks](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/allen_sparks/32/63507_2.png) [@Allen\_Sparks](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Allen_Sparks)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2026, 12:09am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/arent-i-beautiful-i-love-me-so-much/50200/5 "2026-03-23T00:09:11Z")
Hi Dennis, a fun pose well taken. All looks natural to me. I usually pass up the geese at the neighborhood lake here but this makes me think I should pay them more attention. Well done. ---
**Author:** ![David\_Schoen](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/david_schoen/32/368_2.png) [@David\_Schoen](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/David_Schoen)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2026, 1:23am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/arent-i-beautiful-i-love-me-so-much/50200/6 "2026-03-23T01:23:02Z")
Dennis This is an excellent shot of a Canada goose. It’s really out of the box and different. I have not seen you do this before. A good behavioral image. Not my favorite animal, but this one is seen in a much better light. ---
**Author:** ![Allen\_Brooks](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/allen_brooks/32/390_2.png) [@Allen\_Brooks](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Allen_Brooks)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2026, 3:16pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/arent-i-beautiful-i-love-me-so-much/50200/7 "2026-03-23T15:16:37Z")
Nicely presented, Dennis. A different pose from the usual in geese. Water and shadow add to the image. ---
**Author:** ![Marylynne\_Diggs](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/marylynne_diggs/32/87403_2.png) [@Marylynne\_Diggs](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Marylynne_Diggs)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2026, 4:47am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/arent-i-beautiful-i-love-me-so-much/50200/8 "2026-03-24T04:47:10Z")
Personally, I’m a fan of anthropomorphism. I’ve never been able to sort out who it degrades. God forbid we assume a higher of consciousness among other species, especially when I can’t always assume humans are particularly sympathetic to their peers. The water looks great to me, and the pose seems self-soothing. Nicely done! ML.