Hi Howard,
Where on Lake Michigan? I grew up in Michigan. I think it's a bit too underexposed which removes any details in the birds black head. Cool bird however.
  Posted: 06/13/2026 16:32:17

I like the action, and the orange "pop" from the eye and mandible. The dull gray water works against you. One thing worth trying: In CR (I assume also in LR), when you first open it, immediately convert it to "Landscape" color profile. Then go to Calibration>>Blue Saturation and pull the slider all the way right. Use that as your baseline, then see if you have some detail in the blacks. I know this bird can be hard to pull up detail in, but I think it might save it as far as competition.

I would post an example but you need to start with the RAW image to use those features.

Lillian   Posted: 06/13/2026 18:14:02

Interesting image....I love the action with wide open beak and head pointed upwards. Even the torso half-immersed and the leg showing add to the charm. I think that image with more of the leg/webbed foot) showing might be even better.

The only thing that bothers me is that the bird is moving away from the camera   Posted: 06/15/2026 12:23:03