Blast off - common loon on take off

[Randy Stout]

This common loon was imaged in Northern Michigan last summer. Because they have a very high wing loading, they struggle to take off gracefully. Lots of running, splashing and noise! You can hear them all the way across the lake when they take off. I love the funny poses, esp. the flying feet as they patter across the water.

D500 600VR , f/7.1, 1/2000s, ISO 400. Taken from my little boat, Loonie Too!

Post. 15% crop for comp. Cleaned up the extra catchlight, toned down a few areas of whites.

Advice and comments always appreciated.

Cheers

Randy

[dankearl]

I really like this, it is not a shot one often sees and not having Loons around I am not sure why?
Love the back foot....

[Alex Becker]

Very cool. Love the pose and that back foot is great. Head looks sharp and almost 3D. I like the BG too. It might just be my eyes or an optical illusion type thing but I wonder if it needs a slight clockwise rotation, see what others say. Cool wing pose. TFS

[John Mack]

You are killing it with these loon images. The action here is great.

[Ian McLachlan]

Lovely stuff. Great action and soft background as well

[arash_hazeghi]

very cool Randy, love the rather clumsy looking feet position and the trailing water drops.

[Jay Ing]

Like so many have already said - great action... love the angle and low pov, head focus is just great.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Absolute cracker Randy, love the geeky pose, you have really nailed the focus, it could so easily have been slightly out but it is spot on.

[Joseph Przybyla]

Wonderful image, Randy. Love the action and the intense look on the face of the bird. Never having see a Loon take off it appears they run on the water much like a Coot when taking off. Techs spot on as always. Thank you for sharing.

[Tim Foltz]

Randy, here's something you don't see, at least not here in So. CA., what's not to like.

-Tim

[Randy Stout]

Thanks everyone for your comments. Loons don't fly much in general, and when they have chicks, even less. So it is always fun to see them do so.

Cheers

Randy