This common loon was captured last summer, taking off at a small Northern Michigan lake. I have shown other images in the past as a loon has splashed across the lake, trying to get airborne. In this one he has actually taken off, but they gain altitude very slowly, and often have to bank and make a circle around the lake to get enough altitude to clear the tree line. I liked the splashes, spray in his wake, and the dramatic lighting.
D810 600VR 1/1600s f/7.1 ISO 400
Post: modest crop for comp. Selective sharpening of bird. Cleaned up a few spots in water. Softened the bright white reflection as it leaves the frame
I agree with you that I like the splashes and the dramatic lighting.Good incoming pose and appropriate title!
Good image for a pano crop.Very sharp especially considering the loon is flying towards you.
I would have liked a full wings up pose but I still like this very much.
I like the very calm water and clean BG.
Gail
I'm really liking this Randy. I can here the action as I look at the splashes and spray. If anything I wish the red in the eye was more visible. Fun image that makes me yearn for those early mornings at the folks' cottage.
Yeah, this is all about the splashes, but they are just a bit peripheral to the frame to really own it. Much of that
is the angle at which the bird is approaching, but this is a really good result regardless.
Dorian: for me, the splashes are just part of the story, not the main subject, so I am fine with them being off center, to imply a line of flight coming in from out of the frame. In reality there are is often a long series of splashes in the take off process, just can't show them all in a normal frame.
Low altitude bomber run - common loon take off
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