Plowing Skimmer

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Photographed on Long Island a couple of days ago. I liked the action and particularly the 'water helmet' in front of the head.

http://www.pbase.com/axelhi/image/114601524/original.jpg

1D3, 500f4, 1.4x, 1/1600s, f/8, EC +0.33, ISO 400

[Chris Kotze]

Excellent action captured with the water shield in front of the head. Different and I like it.

[Sinh Nhut Nguyen]

This is nice, I've seen this action numerous times but never too dramatic and intense like this. He must have got a pretty big catch. I like the angle and the warm lighting.

[Stu Bowie]

You certainly nailed this one Axel. Not only did you capture the "water helmet" you also captured an excellent side spray too. Job well done.

[Ilija Dukovski]

Very nice capture, interesting water helmet but also water curtain on the side.
I like how you treated the colors here.

[Arthur Morris]

The sheet of water is killer. Was this in the ocean or in one of them big puddles? Love the pose and the sharpness of the bill.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

The sheet of water is killer. Was this in the ocean or in one of them big puddles? Love the pose and the sharpness of the bill.

Thanks, Artie! This was in a big puddle near the colony.

[Kobus Tollig]

Super, great exposure action detail and comp well done

[Ed Schneider]

We don't have these in any puddles in my area(smile). Besides the water helmet, the reflection on the underwing is quite nice. Congrats, Axel!

[Randy Stout]

Axel:

Very nice as mentioned, great timing. I am curious, did he come up with a fish? I would think that must have had one, since he couldn't really skim effectively with this head position!

The pano crop is very effective here.

Randy

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Axel:

Very nice as mentioned, great timing. I am curious, did he come up with a fish? I would think that must have had one, since he couldn't really skim effectively with this head position!

The pano crop is very effective here.

Randy

Thanks, Randy! There were no fish in this freshwater puddle and they only skimmed there to drink. I have no idea what he thought he caught. :)

[David Fletcher]

Excellent action captured with the water shield in front of the head. Different and I like it.

Now that is neat! Well done!

[Randy Stout]

Axel:

Maybe he was just having fun!

Randy

[Doug Rodda]

Unique! Was this in one of the disappeared puddles?

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Unique! Was this in one of the disappeared puddles?

Thanks, Doug! Yes, this was in the big puddle on the right side of the colony. Grace said it's pretty much gone now.

[Fabs Forns]

That is sooo cool, Axel love that water splash, never saw it photographed before :)

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

WOW man! That shield of water makes this for me Axel. I also,like the sheet of trailing water and the reflections on the underside of the wings.

[allanrube]

Big yes on the water. A little more of a profile would have been even better.

[EdNguyen]

Wow! Great action shot. I love it. Wish the eye could be more visible.

[Michael Lloyd]

Ugh... you guys are killing me! Great capture! I love skimmers and I have exactly 0... that's right... zero pixels of one stored anywhere. Awesome...

or as they say down around my home town... that right there is bowed up!!! :D

[Mike Tracy]

That helmet and trailing edge of water was definitely caught at the perfect moment. What puts this image over the top is the "lightning" streak reflection under the wings.

[Kiran Poonacha]

All said above... just to add.. "great shot"

[Chris van Rooyen]

Hmm - that water helmet is so unusual! Wonderful action