Free to Fly..one shutter click too late by TomDart
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
Last Friday an Osprey was released at an island of a lake not far from my home. As the boat entered the lake and headed to the island, the sun lifted fog and I thought this is a good thing! Maybe enough light for a decent photo...
Normally, the bird is released from its carrier and off it goes. This time, from urging of a photojournalist from the largest newspaper in this half of the state, the bird was hand held to show its figure first. Then, the Osprey took to the sky. From carrier to flight was less than 45 seconds. These birds do not need added stress.
The Osprey went up, then to trees and an immediate turn to the lake and a strong 200 yard flight and around a bend in another island. Its wings were pushing air as strongly as it could, having recovered from a shot to the wing some months earlier. We saw the bird resting on the shore later and kept going, let it be, let it relax and find this new home.
The photo was supposed to be 3 quick shutters and three images..well, somehow it turned out to be one shot and the bird was well in the air by then. Still, some emotion of the bird on its way and the woman who released it is shown to me.

Comments (12)
Great story and shot!
Actually I do like it as happened. You captured a "separation moment" between handler and bird. Love the falling back feathers too.
Ohh let me know next time they do this would love to see.. great shot :)
wonderful anyway!
What better moment in the course of a life could be more representative of the spirit of freedom than this moment. Inspiring.
Tom this is so good for the spirit! There is so much emotion captured in this single image that it is real hard to process in mere seconds. Excellent composition in my opinion, the stretched arms and the increasing distance to the bird, the feathers flying, all such loaded symbols. I choke up easily about such things...
Captured the moment perfectly. Great shot
I think this is really great just the way it is. The bird just leaving the frame and the spare feathers fluttering down are just perfect to give it the motion it needs. Very nice, Tom.
This shot reflex the action and how fast is the movement.. Very interesting
Oh impressive capture Tom!
I think this is great!
Ohhhh look at those toenails!