About the Image(s)

I took this photo on Oct. 12, 2026, in Chilmark, Massachusetts, with my Sony Alpha 1, Mark II, a 300 mm prime lens and a 2x extender for an effective focal length of 600 mm. Settings were 1/400 s; f/5.6; and ISO of 125.

I confess that I like this image a lot, but also recognize that it's not everyone's "cup of tea." I'd appreciate your candid thoughts on what you like or don't like about this image.

This Cormorant was doing something very ordinary: Just flapping its wings and "taking a little splash bath" before jumping out of the water to dry off. I was lucky to be lined up so as to catch both eyes. I was also lucky that the Cormorant's head remained still enough to be sharp at the 1/400 s shutter speed while the water and wings were affected by the motion. Adding saturation globally was sufficient to make the "eyes pop" - Cormorants have beautiful blue eyes.