Loon Season is approaching

[Randy Stout]

The temporary emergence of the frogs has me thinking about warmer weather and the loon season which will start here in April, and peak with the birth of chicks in early June.

This adult was imaged several years ago but not processed.

Northern Michigan.  The background is courtesy of water lilies and reeds.

D4  600 VR  f/6.3  1/1250s  ISO 800

Advice and comments always appreciated

Randy

[Mongo]

beautiful subject and shot Randy. The background makes it look like it has landed in one of Monet's small lakes. You are very lucky to have these birds - they do not exist in Mongo's part of the world as far as he knows.

PS - played a little with the image and found it had wonderful definition with a touch more contrast. Just used "auto contrast" in photoshop for this single adjustment.

[Randy Stout]

Mongo:

Thanks for the comment.  Yes, I have always like this spots background, as it has always struck me as painterly.  I tend to leave my images shot there just a little bit lower in contrast,to play up that effect.  The bird itself looked pretty crisp to my eyes.  I will however take another pass at it.

Cheers

Randy

[David Paterson]

Wonderful bird, great portrait . . . and that eye!

[Ron Scubadiver]

Sweet.

[brent_e]

Mongo:

Thanks for the comment.  Yes, I have always like this spots background, as it has always struck me as painterly.  I tend to leave my images shot there just a little bit lower in contrast,to play up that effect.  The bird itself looked pretty crisp to my eyes.  I will however take another pass at it.

Cheers

Randy

Randy,
Painterly sounds nice.  I was going to say "buttery"! 

The eye is centred in the frame but the photo still seems balanced to me.   Lovely capture.

Brent

[Mongo]

Randy, Mongo had originally looked at this on his Imac (which is reasonably calibrated). Just checking in now on Mongo's tablet, must say it does look reasonably balanced as is.

[Peter Connan]

Beautiful portrait!