Went Roamin with Roman and Denise yesterday to Barnegat Light. Not a lot of birds but still a lot of fun. While the temperature, winds, and light were initially very promising we quickly lost the light. The water was calmer than I have ever seen. Canon EOS 7D with 600mm, ISO 640, F/7.1, SS 1/1600.
The eye here is about as good as it gets for a loon, striking. The light angle (well to your right) however caused some challenges with the shadows under the wings. If you haven't already worked on it, you may be able to tease some more detail out of the underwing areas, but it appears there is some noise lurking there.
I suspect the whites on the upper breast aren't blown, but they are close enough that I might be tempted to do a little blend mode work there. Wouldn't take much to tone them down. Most of the whites are really good.
I haven't been to that location, but most of the images do show pretty turbulent water, glad you had a little bit calmer seas.
Nick..a few weeks back I was there and a Loon was hanging around close to the jetty, never got anything so good that day.
I like the image, having been there, you get, what you get, from the rocks.
This image is good where it counts head, eye and bill all sharp and clear....very well captured, good timing
Great moment captured. Tough light angle. I am actually surprised how much detail under the wing it shows in the first place - unless you already did some PS work. JR
Nick, You did a good job capturing this one. I like the pose and agree w/ Randy regarding the whites. The water was pretty calm Saturday. We had a good time and I'm glad you came-you are a lot of fun to be around.:)