Do you imagine a photo in your mind and then try to create it? Most of the time I am an opportunistic wildlife photographer—I react to the situations in which I find myself and try to make the best possible photo to capture the subject, the action, or the mood. Sometimes, though, I look at a spot and think, “Wouldn’t it be great if my subject moved into that light or onto that photogenic perch?”
On Wednesday I watched a lone Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) as it repeatedly dove into the water in a small suburban pond not far from my townhouse. Generally I encounter cormorants at larger bodies of water, but I know that this manmade pond is deep and is suited to birds that dive for food—some species of migratory diving ducks, for example, overwinter there.
The cormorant would spend quite a while underwater and I never knew where it would pop up next. I kept hoping it would surface in an area where the reflections of the fall foliage were especially colorful and eventually it did. The cormorant was quite far away, but I captured the kind of imagine that I had imagined, with colorful rippled patterns on the surface of the water as the cormorant swam into the frame. I encourage you to click on the imagine to see the details of the first image.
The second image was one of my earlier attempts. The cormorant surfaced closer to me than in the first shot, but the surface of the water was not as colorful as I wanted. However, the shot provides a really good look at the striking aquamarine eyes of this beautiful bird. Wow! Those eyes never fail to startle and delight me.
It is a fun challenge to try to incorporate the fall foliage into my photos and I have had an unusual amount of good luck in doing so this past week with a variety of subjects. I am starting to see more and more leaves on the ground, so I know that this period is transitory. Carpe diem!
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved
Mike Powell 
Outstanding photograph, Mike! The enlarged image really highlighted the colors and details.
I frequently “wish” a subject would cooperate with what I think would be a nice composition but seldom get the result you did.
https://ournaturalplaces.com/
I was eager to see the two photos after reading your text, and they lived up to my expectations! Beautiful images.
Oh yes, that first shot is a winner, Mike! Waiting for a bird to line up and then having it happen can be so worth the wait. I do like your second image, too, as you say those eyes are something.
Thanks, Ellen. Patience is a virtue in situations like that. I am fond of saying that patience and persistence are my “superpowers,” not technical skill or gear.
I never really followed the superheros, but “superpowers” made me laugh 🦸 and I know that plenty are needed when you’re out in nature.
That first shot is a keeper, Mike. Love the warm colours and reflections.
Thanks, Chris. I am thinking about having that first one printed. So many of my photos exist only in a digital format, but that one is worth having printed and hanging on the wall.
I find the same with mine. We have a selection of favourite underwater and aerials printed on metal on board and change them regularly!