Be sure to chew carefully before swallowing dear - Big gulp for a little chick!

[Randy Stout]

This hungry loon chick was imaged this AM. His dad had just come in from another lake, caught this perch and offered it to junior as a late breakfast ( he had already being eating small perch minnows for the preceding two hours!)
It took almost seven minutes for him to get it down, with several cycles of spitting it out and trying again. I was really concerned that he would choke, but the parents stayed with him, and eventually he did it. He promptly took a long nap to help digest this monster!

D4 600VR TC14 f/7/1 1/1250s ISO 1000. Taken from my little boat "Loonie Too"

Post: Minor crop for comp and leveling. Selective sharpening on birds, with touch of detail extractor on breasts.

Advice and comments always appreciated.

Cheers

Randy

[Daniel Cadieux]

Wow, what a trooper!! Perhaps a long nap to digest, but we'd be off to the emergency room! Although the parent at our left has his head angled away it still works as he is keeping a concerned look on the young one's struggles. I love the greens, low angle, reflections. If you have it I'd consider adding a bit to our right. Looks like another successful loon season for you!

[Karl Egressy]

Nice low angle image showing the parents and the little chick with the huge fish. I enjoyed reading the story and looking at this beauty image, Randy.

[Gerald Kelberg]

Hi Randy,

Love this shot - really made me smile! Technically excellent as usual and such great subject. The concerned parents and the hungry little guy - wonderful!

Gerald

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Fantastic frame Randy. Love everything about it.
Great story too.
TFS

[Satish Ranadive]

Randy Sir,
Spectacular moment captured. Excellent image. Superb composition.
Rest as usual superfine.

Regards,
Satish.

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

Very nice one Randy.
The pano crop really works here. Love the chick being in the center and what a big beak!

[gail bisson]

This is terrific Randy! The thumbnail doesn't do this justice.
Love how the parents are keeping a watchful eye on the chick. I don't think they know how to do a Heimlich maneuver though!!
I like the head on view of the chick's throat and the profile of the fish very much. Really adds to the image.
Would like a bit more canvas on the right.
Gail

[Randy Stout]

Thanks everyone for your comments.

I do have more room on the right, so will do a version with a little more there. I didn't want to go too panoish, but will give it a try!

Cheers

Randy