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Thread: Blast off - common loon on take off

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    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    Default Blast off - common loon on take off

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    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
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    BPN Member dankearl's Avatar
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    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....
    Dan Kearl

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    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

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

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    Lovely stuff. Great action and soft background as well

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    Super Moderator arash_hazeghi's Avatar
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    very cool Randy, love the rather clumsy looking feet position and the trailing water drops.
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    Like so many have already said - great action... love the angle and low pov, head focus is just great.

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    Macro and Flora Moderator Jonathan Ashton's Avatar
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    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.

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    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.
    Joe Przybyla

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

    -Tim

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    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    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
    MY BPN ALBUMS

    "Tact is the art of making a point without making an enemy" Sir Isaac Newton

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