C. Loon

http://maine-wild.smugmug.com/photos...22_HeWps-O.jpg

This Common Loon surfaced just in front of the canoe early on Sunday in Northern Vermont. 1dm3 on a 500f4 handheld - iso 400, f6.3at 1/320 - ME, AiServo -slight crop - Bob

Great exposure and sharpness Bob! Love the water color too. All I would like is a slight head turn. I lost a 500 f/4 and a 40D shooting out of kayak; hope you're able to stay dry! Thanks for posting!

Yes, a better head turn would have done two things for you: 1 - Get the HAP off your case ;-) , and 2 - put some of that light coming from the left onto the face/eye area of the loon.

Great angle, details, water colors and exposure control, head turn has been mentioned. The edges of the bill look a bit pixelated and the BG would look even better with some NR applied.

Cool photo, Bob. I agree with the head angle comments. I really like the pattern of water droplets on the head and neck. The open beak is a big plus. Excellent detail in the head and neck feathers where the light is striking the bird.

Boy do you get around the new england area.
I have aq hard enough time getting to just a couple of hours away.

Nice portrait

Were there any young yet or are they delayed this year

I am trying to go north around Fathers day if I can escape

John

John, My kids live in VT which gets me up there every few weeks. Had a great AM on the lake! Lost all the Osprey captures plus MORE on a dead drive - did send it out for a recovery try! Stayed quite far away from the nesting areas and did not see any young - Will be back in 2 weeks. Bob

I really like the angle and the details,nice work Bob

Great composition and exposure Bob,
I like the up close details on the head...:cool: