Theme: Low riding loon

[Randy Stout]

This fellow was imaged last summer in Northern Michigan. Very cool, blue/gray morning. It was late enough in the summer that the adults would start to lose their breeding plumage soon, but he was still looking handsome at the time.

D500 600VR f/7.1 1/2000 ISO 800

Post: 15% crop for comp. Selective sharpening of bird

Advice and comments always appreciated.

[Bill Dix]

Superb detail. What a wonderful portrait. My eye is drawn to the small red spec in the eye. Much as I love the green water in many of your loon images, this cool gray gives a different, and equally beautiful, mood.

[David N Smith]

Your Loon images are superb. There are all clear and detailed.

[Randy Stout]

Thanks gentlemen.

Bill, the red spot is caused by a small drop of water on the lid margin, which is catching the sunlight and projecting it onto the iris. I know that you can't really tell that at this small image size, and I should probably just remove it, but it is so neat on the full size image that I left it.

Cheers

Randy

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Randy, good look back pose which in turn has given you a perfect HA. Excellent sharp detail on the head, well exposed, and the droplets add interest. Bill stated what I immediate thought when I opened your image - we are so used to your green waters, but these blue waters really stand out having known your work over time.

[annmpacheco]

Couldn't be any better, a beauty!

[gail bisson]

This is lovely.
Great POV and I love the color tones in this image and now that you have explained the spot on the eye I agree with you keeping it,
Gail

[Arthur Morris]

I agree with all the positives above :) Love the low-rider block-headed look and the sharpness.

with love, artie

[Steve Kaluski]

Another 'corker' of an image of this subject Randy, you just nail this time and time again. :cheers:

TFS
Steve

[Randy Stout]

Thanks everyone for the comments. Always appreciated.

Come on spring!

Randy