Red-throated Diver and Chick

[Bill Dix]

This was captured on the same pond in Iceland as Geoffrey's recent wing flap shot, a few minutes after 10:00 pm on a lovely evening. I know, a few degrees of head turn on the adult would have improved it.

D7200, 500f4 + 1.4 TC, ISO 800, 1/1250s @ f/10 manual.

[annmpacheco]

Hi Bill, lovely moment here between parent and chick. wonderful head angles from both along with a bit of refection in the shaded area of this pond. I also like the reeds and their shadows, well done.Was this the only chick you saw? We had only one chick where we were... Sadly, you have to wonder why there aren't more chicks...

[Bill Dix]

Thanks Ann. There were two chicks on this pond, although one of them disappeared into the tall grasses on the bank to take a nap not long after we got there. Only one pair of adults. I'd love to find the pond where you had 20.

[Arthur Morris]

I am till thinking that there may have been an almost imperceptible breeze in your face...

[Randy Stout]

Bill:

Lovely colors, light, interaction. The chick could easily pass as a common loon chick!

Did you see any common loons while there? They apparently do nest in Iceland.

Cheers

Randy

[Bill Dix]

I am till thinking that there may have been an almost imperceptible breeze in your face...

Anything's possible.

[Bill Dix]

Thanks Randy. We did see a few Common Loons (Great Northern Divers) elsewhere in Iceland. Not many, and not at this location.

[Kirk Benson]

These adults are really beautiful birds... great moment with the chick looking toward the parent. I like your composition a lot Bill, lovely image.

Kirk

[Geoffrey Montagu]

You captured a wonderful moment, Bill. Couldn't have asked for better light this night. I think the head turn of the adult is just fine.


Geoffrey

[gail bisson]

This is lovely Bill.
I think the HA's are great. Nice POV, beautiful light.
I feel that the blacks in the adult's body are blocked and have a purple cast to them. I would tweek that in PP.
Gail

[Bill Dix]

Thank you all for your helpful comments. Gail, I'm not sure the blacks are really blocked, but they are dark. In this repost I've opened them up a bit, and in doing so accentuated the distinct purplish cast that you noted. I moved the slider 4% toward the green which helped some; I might have gone another notch but didn't want it to look to green.

[Bill Dix]

Oops. Discovered a small glitch in my PP work on the repost. Here's a quick fix.

[David Salem]

What beautiful looking birds. I like the repost best and the colors and poses make this one special. Well done

[Bill Dix]

Thanks David.

[William Dickson]

Lovely image Bill, all been said above. Very well done.

Will

[keith mitchell]

Bill nits well covered,do think this is a smashing image,interaction between baby and mum is great.

Keith.

[Bill Dix]

Thank you William and Keith.