Sharp billed common loon

[Randy Stout]

I had posted this individual a few weeks ago, with his head angle such that the tip of the bill was out of the plane of focus. In this one, he was nice enough to give me a head angle that worked with the limited DOF I had to work with.
I also liked the curve of the neck and the body.

D4 600VR f/5 1/640s ISO 1000 SB900 with beamer for fill Pedestal mounted in Loonie Too!

Post: Full frame, Cleaned up a few water spots, selective sharpening. No NR. Cleaned up the double catchlight

Advice and comments always appreciated.

Cheers

Randy

[Karl Egressy]

Wow, super portrait shot, Randy. I just love to see those pearl like water droplets arranged so beautifully by nature.
Yes, the head angle is just perfect.

[Grady Weed]

There seems to be something about water drops on a loon. They do look like pearls or tiny glass beads. And the red eye is killer. You were able to catch some nice greens and slight blues in the neck band. And the bill is near perfect. I like the slight black tones surrounding the eye and making its way back down to the neck just above the band. A bit close portrait but a keeper. I have yet to see loons on the ponds here. I know they are there, just have to go out more. I've only been out 2 times so far. TFS.

[Frank Schauf]

Fantastic. Wonderful pose, colors and background.

[Sandy Witvoet]

Ok, Randy.... STUNNING! Love the OOF back, limited reflection, circle of water, amazing neck luminance.....and, PERFECT BILL! (with the weather up north this year.... it's been difficult to get ANY shot as perfect as this.) Superb.

[Loi Nguyen]

Great shot, love the sharpness, red eye, and the water droplet. Nice BG too. You handled the fill flash really well here. If I have to pick on something, I would wish for a little more depth of field. Loi

[David Salem]

Very nice side profile of this guys head. The detail, water drops and the beautiful red eye all make for a very pleasing image. Well done.

[Petros Petrou]

What an excellent portrait! It doesn't get any better than this. The HA is perfect for this type of picture. I always enjoy seeing loons in their breeding plumage. We only get to see only a couple of loon species and only in their winter plumage here. TFS

[Shawn Zierman]

You nailed this one. Even your title is cool...sounds like a perfect name for a sub-species. The wet bill looks great. Full frame too(!).

[Girish Prahalad]

amazing low & intimate angle. love the DOF here which puts the focus firmly on the bird's head.
excellent details & colors.

[Ashley Cohen]

A fantastic image, great sharpness, Dof and quality.

[Daniel Cadieux]

I've not much to add as it has all been said...just want to acknowledge how appealing this image is. Nicely done!

[Randy Stout]

Thanks everyone for the kind comments and thoughts. Very much appreciated.

I am blessed to get to spend time with these amazing birds.

Cheers

Randy

[Markus Jais]

Awesome loon image.
I like the low angle, the water drops, the colors and light and the head and wonderful sharpness.

Markus

[Karen Forderer]

An amazing photo of one of my favourite birds. I always look to your photos in helping me with my loon attempts.

[Carl Day]

Beautiful portrait Randy, background really suit's the image - You're really lucky to be able to photograph these birds, they're like rocking horse sh** over here!...especially in full summer dress!

Cheers,

Carl.