Mute Swan

[Bill Dix]

Considered by some to be symbols of elegance; maligned by others as invasive pests. Either way, regardless of what other small waterfowl you might be focused on while sitting on the bank of a waterway, you can't help but look up when you hear the loud whooshing and splashing as one of these birds with his heavy body and large wingspan struggles to gain liftoff. Captured at Cape May Point in 2014.

D7000, 500f4 + 1.4 TC, ISO 1600, 1/1600s @ f/7.1 manual.

[David Cowling]

Difficult to get the exposure right on these birds and you have managed it well. Nice to capture the moment of lift off. I like the way the head is angled towards you with the eye showing well.

[Mike Poole]

Nice clear dynamic shot Bill, I love all the splashes and its nice that the head is just above the bank line in the BG

Mike

[Dorian Anderson]

Nice action frame. Low angle really makes this shot. Highlights on the bird's rear could be turned dow a bit, but that's fairly minor.

[Arthur Morris]

Well done. Did you have that last splash in the original frame? It's great that the head is above the shoreline.

with love, artie

[Bill Dix]

Well done. Did you have that last splash in the original frame? It's great that the head is above the shoreline.

with love, artie

Thanks Artie. No, this is just about full frame except for a slight rotation and crop to pano format.

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks Artie. No, this is just about full frame except for a slight rotation and crop to pano format.

THANKS Bill. You might try a version with that last splash cropped out ... Or not :) Stuff on the frame edges really bug me.

with love, artie