Hitching a Ride

Gallery: AvianPosted June 5, 2011416 views21 comments

Common Loon with day-old chicks
Lac LeJeune, BC, on this date last year (re-working some old files to soothe my soul - can't get out of here for awhile)

D300
500mm
Subject dist: 15.0m
1/250 sec, f/5.6
Mode: Av
Metering: Spot
Exp comp: -2/3
ISO: 200
White balance: Auto
Flash: Off

Hand-held from moving boat
very close to full frame

Comments

21 comments

Comment posted by Steve Canuel on June 5, 2011 at 8:44 PM

Very nice Sandy. I really like the look and texture of the head and the way the body and reflection merge into one.

Registered on September 12, 2010, 53 Posts, 660 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on June 5, 2011 at 9:23 PM

Ah, Sandy. You have the touch of an angel. The soft water and bg look so great with the sharp beautiful mom and chicks. You are an inspiration.

Registered on April 18, 2011, 329 Posts, 1985 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on June 5, 2011 at 9:44 PM

Really nice image, Sandy. Love the chicks on momma's back. I have never witnessed this behavior. Thanks for sharing.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on June 5, 2011 at 10:04 PM

The chicks are of course delightful and would usually be the subjects in a shot like this that completely hold my interest, but I have to say how you've captured the textures and patterns of mum's beautiful plumage, not to mention her eye, draws my attention even more; it's almost hypnotic 8^)

Excellent job Sandy, a real treat for the eye :^)

Registered on March 1, 2011, 154 Posts, 2083 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on June 5, 2011 at 10:23 PM

Nice one, Sandy. The low angle and the chicks on the back make this very sweet.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on June 5, 2011 at 10:28 PM

Really such a nice feeling to the shot, beautiful.

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by antino cervigni on June 6, 2011 at 7:24 AM

Fantastic and delicious image. Regards

Registered on April 17, 2010, 70 Posts, 202 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Graham on June 6, 2011 at 8:03 AM

very nice, Sandy. The low angle always works for these shots, and the chicks really add a nice touch :). Is it tilted slightly counter-clockwise, or is this just an illusion? Either way, still a beauty of a shot.

Registered on August 22, 2006, 842 Posts, 2824 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on June 6, 2011 at 9:28 AM

Very nice, Sandy. I like the eye contact from all three subjects. Nice work on the exposure too.

Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Walters on June 6, 2011 at 10:37 AM

Very nice! Really like the chicks on the back. Nice detail in the head as well.

Registered on October 30, 2005, 405 Posts, 3693 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on June 6, 2011 at 11:12 AM

This is great Sandy! Beautiful birds, and a beautiful pose. You just can't help but smile when you see this!

Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments

Comment posted by David Sparks on June 6, 2011 at 11:41 AM

I love the low angle, eye contact with all 3 birds, the nonchalance of the riders, and the beautiful markings of the adult.

Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments

Comment posted by Barbara Scoles on June 6, 2011 at 1:23 PM

Absolutely beautiful Sandy! It's magical!

Registered on August 21, 2008, 42 Posts, 214 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on June 6, 2011 at 3:48 PM

A sweet shot with nice technicals. I'd love to haver something like this in my files.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on June 6, 2011 at 5:45 PM

Lovely family scene, and techs are spot-on.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on June 6, 2011 at 5:46 PM

I want this shot sooo badly. where do I have to go? I love it Sandy. The foggy air softens up the feel .

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Holguin on June 7, 2011 at 2:01 AM

Great low angle shot. Nice warm colors, great pose and all of the birds, and a very tender moment. Well done.

Registered on January 25, 2011, 44 Posts, 294 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on June 7, 2011 at 7:56 AM

What a lovely scene - well done Sandy

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on June 7, 2011 at 3:55 PM

Almost missed this one, very nice scene and low angle. The chicks on the back are a real bonus and I like the darker colors of the water, way to go.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Monica Siri on June 8, 2011 at 3:27 PM

Sandy,
the moment, the light, the colors and the detail are beautiful. Great image.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments

Comment posted by Anna Wrobel on June 9, 2011 at 10:24 AM

This is beautiful! I love the reflections in the water, shallow DOF and the tones of this image. The focus is spot on. So is the exposure.

Anna Wrobel
Washington DC

Registered on April 25, 2011, 3 Posts, 11 Comments