Get off of MY lake - common loon yodel - not at me!

[Randy Stout]

This male loon was imaged this summer on a northern Michigan lake. I had been floating around with them for an hour or so when another loon flew over the lake. The male assumed the classic yodeling pose and blasted out that hoarse, strident sound that can be heard for a long ways. As soon as the intruder flew on by, this loon went back to normal family life!

D700 600mm with 1.4 TC ISO 800 f/5.6 1/200s Pedestal mounted Wimberley in the bottom of my little boat, the Loonie Too.

Post: CS5 Selective sharpening, cleaned up one spot in the water, minor color balance adjustment. Full frame.

Advice and comments always appreciated. I had several other frames with a bit more body showing, but this one had the best expression and pose.

Cheers

Randy

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

wow...excellent details...3D-ish quality. great blacks....and you nailed the moment.

[Andrew Merwin]

An outstanding behavior shot with great detail. It's the first time I have seen inside a loon's mouth.

[Andrew McLachlan]

Hi Randy, awesome capture with great details!

[Arthur Morris]

Incredibly sharp and incredible in the mouth detail. Love the framing and the perfect exposure. This one really rocks!

[Gary Esman]

Incredible image Randy! I can tell by the reflection in the eye what lake you were on...very cool.

Gary.

[Tom Rambaut]

Always like your Loon images Randy. Great detail and just such a cool bird.

[adrian dancy]

Superb image. A bit of cwr needed perhaps?

[Mital Patel]

Randy
You've mastered understanding loons and photographing them. No Doubt and this is a clear presentation of that part.

[Dan Brown]

Awesome! Humblingly awesome!

[dankearl]

Just an excellent closeup. I agree with a tad bit of rotation.

[MohsenVahedipour]

What a nice capture. Excellent sharpness & details & timing.

[yogesh_puranik]

wow..superb moment..nice calling pose..randy you are now must be part of loon family :)

[Stu Bowie]

Randy, this pose works for me, and well timed to capture the open bill. Overall tack sharp, and you did nail the exposure. Another superb Loon image from your favourite subject.

[Don Leslie]

Outstanding shot, the detail is incredible!

[arash_hazeghi]

very nice dynamic pose! excellent

[Randy Bronkema]

OUTSTANDING Randy, great detail , nice reflection in the eye nice smooth black beek.

Randy