A Cory's Shearwater makes a successful but ungraceful takeoff from the water, splashing frantically as it launches into the air. Photo by Wendy Dembowski.

This Cory's Shearwater is putting 110% effort into its weekend takeoff. It's all power, all splash, and all determination.

Its motto? "Grace? Never heard of her." A successful, if not elegant, launch into the weekend.

#birds #WeekendLaunch #CorysShearwater #azores #nature #wildlife #photography