Carrying a heavy load: Common loon with big chick on board

[Randy Stout]

This pair was imaged several years ago, but never processed. Taken at the end of June, and the chick is about two weeks old. The parents generally stop allowing back riding at about this age, and I was struck by the fact that it looks like the adult is sinking under the load! Not the case really, just the impression.

D700 600VR with TC-14II, f/5.6 1/800s ISO 800, camera mounted in the bottom of my little boat.

Post: Extended canvas, rotated to level, cleaned up the catchlight/pupil a bit, selective sharpening.

The orange color comes from a nearby boat house.

Advice and comments always appreciated.

Cheers

Randy

[Karl Egressy]

Sometimes a man made object creates an attractive reflection on the water. Lucky for us that you decided to process this image as in is a very nice one, Randy. Love the chick.

[Bill Dix]

Stunning capture, but then we've come to expect it from your loonies. You always manage to get that lovely velvet tone to the adult's head. He/She does seem to be sinking a bit. I wouldn't mind seeing more on top and less on the bottom of the image, if you have it.

[Geoffrey Montagu]

Spectacular image, Randy. This is far too cute, and a humorous touch with the sinking impression in your story. Amazing soft pastel colors and sharp detail.


Geoffrey

[annmpacheco]

This sure is yet another gem from you. Love the chick and parent together and the eye contact is aces. Soft reds and greens are perfect for the loons to pop! Enlighten me plz: /i would have automatically increased my dof to be more certain the subjects were all in focus. Did you not have to do that because they were on the same plane? Also, what did you choose for your autofocus pattern? I am never sure what AF pattern to choose here, but id probably have increased dof, increased ss, increased iso, single point autofocus and on the parents eye. Now I just bet i wouldn't have captured anything wonderful like you; help me understand please.

[gail bisson]

I absolutely love the orange band at the top of the frame.
Really makes for something different.
Love the green swirls in the water.
You have captured perfectly that velvety head.
Really like this image Randy.

[Ross Taylor]

Randy, this shot takes my breath away! The colors, clarity, composition, and reflection in the parent's eye. This could have easily been the vision of a master wildlife painter. No nits from me! Congrats on such an inspiring image!

TFS-Ross

[David Salem]

"PRINT"

[Grace Scalzo]

What David said......

[Joseph Przybyla]

All has been said, lovely image. Thank you for sharing, Randy.

[arash_hazeghi]

love this one Randy, close up details, HA, low angle and the BG all perfect.

[dankearl]

Kudo's with all the rest, just a terrific frame.....

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Randy, excellent light and IQ, and of course, your usual exposure throughout the image spot on. You have brought out the fuzzy detail on junior very well, and the colours in the upper BG takes this to a different level.

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Randy, can only echo Arash's comment - awesome!!!

TFS
Steve

[William Dickson]

David said it all in one word PRINT

Well done Randy and TFS

Will

[Randy Stout]

All good points about technical issues. I always try to use the lowest ISO I can that is consistent with the lighting available, DOF & SS needed, etc. I could have pushed up the ISO here a bit to give me more flexibility on the other settings, and if there was any fast movement, would have been forced to. The adults usually glide pretty slowly with a chick up.

Thanks to everyone for the kind words, much appreciated.

Cheers

Randy

This sure is yet another gem from you. Love the chick and parent together and the eye contact is aces. Soft reds and greens are perfect for the loons to pop! Enlighten me plz: /i would have automatically increased my dof to be more certain the subjects were all in focus. Did you not have to do that because they were on the same plane? Also, what did you choose for your autofocus pattern? I am never sure what AF pattern to choose here, but id probably have increased dof, increased ss, increased iso, single point autofocus and on the parents eye. Now I just bet i wouldn't have captured anything wonderful like you; help me understand please.

[Loi Nguyen]

Randy, beautiful capture, love the colors and symmetry. Well done. Loi

[Jim Crosswell]

A real beauty Randy!

[Marina Scarr]

A stunner all the way around, Randy!!!

[Frank Schauf]

Fantastic. Wonderful pose, colors and background, Randy.

[shane shacaluga]

Agree to all the comments above! This is one heck of an image!

[Robert Kimbrell]

Not much else to add, just well done on this excellent image. The orange band on top really adds.