Common Loon.

[Daniel Cadieux]

While on vacation last week I spent a couple of days with the kids at my folks' cottage. I was in the cottage washing dishes from the bacon and eggs I cooked them all earlier when one of the kids came running up from the dock to get me to come down with my camera as the loons were close. Close for kids or non-bird photographers is not the same as close for us so I was skeptical at first (and for the fact the loons hang out in another spot on the lake usually). Well, they were close! So this was taken, from flat on my belly on the dock, hands still smelling like dish soap, while the kids were standing all around me raving about how cool nature is.

Canon 7D + 500mm f/4 II + 1.4 TC, manual exposure, evaluative metering, 1/800s., f/5.6, ISO 400, natural light, small crop for comp, removed one pale line running behind the loon's face.

[John Rowell]

Beautiful morning image. Love the green background and reflection on the water. IQ is great as always, good job. The kids make a great early warning system for you.

[John Robinson]

Good one Daniel.
Again this shows my point about reflections. Like this, broken up they look fine in my humble view. Thats why my poolstuff is always a bit higher.
Great looking bird.
John

[Joe Senzatimore]

Beautiful Details and POV.

[MiroslavMaric]

Like the light and well balanced colors of BG and bird. Would like to see complete neck. Love the the eye contact and low angle of view. It seems some banding in BG over the head is the result of PP. Cheers! Miro.

[Randy Stout]

Daniel:

A lot better than washing dishes, for sure!

Good shooting angle from the dock. And here I thought I needed a boat! Very fortunate for her to come in so close.

The wing is up just a smidge from the usual resting position, giving the short neck syndrome.

Head angled a bit away perhaps, but still very effective.

Cheers

Randy

[Grace Scalzo]

Rich colors with the head showing the hint of irredescence. Thank your kids…you have a beauty here.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Dan, great low shooting angle, and just love all the different shades of green. The Loon is tack sharp, and well exposed all over, especially the head to bring out the different colours. Well captured.

Hope you cleaned your gear from your soapy hands. :w3

[Karl Egressy]

Great experience, excellent image, Daniel.

[Sanjeev Aurangabadkar]

Superb shot Dan! I am sure your kids & wife must be pleased & proud of your work! Glad to know they are involved with your passion. The image ticks all the right boxes. TFS.

[stuart wanuck]

beautiful color and bg

[Joseph Przybyla]

Nice one Daniel and a nice story to go with the image.

[gail bisson]

I like the image very much but like the story even better.
Great IQ as always and lovely POV.
Gail

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

A rather special bird.
Lovely composition. Nice low shooting angle and soft light.

[adrian dancy]

The minor nits do not bother me. I just like the image. So...nice work.

[christopher galeski]

its all been said Daniel,beautiful image,well done.

[William Dickson]

Fab image, and story :S3:

[Greg Oakley]

Awesome image Daniel - I'll second all the other comments!

[Satish Ranadive]

Gorgeous image, Daniel Sir.
Excellent fine details, beautiful colors, superb BG and composition.Love the ruby eye.

Regards,
Satish.

[David Salem]

I really like the green sheen on the head and the feather detail looks great too. Nice look back pose. Thanks for the fun story, I could see it all happening now.

[Roelof Molenaar]

Very nice! I like the low angle view.

[Sandy Witvoet]

Lovely Daniel. The tucked-in neck works well here and like the bit of ruffled feathers. BG sets the Loon off beautifully.