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Shy Inhabitants


Shy Inhabitants
Photo Information
Copyright: Rick Price (Adanac) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1169 W: 1 N: 5208] (17609)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-04-19
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon 5D MKII, Canon 100-400/4.5-5.6L IS
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/160 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-04-26 4:59
Viewed: 577
Points: 22
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Hi All,
I must apologize, I have not been on the top of my game for the last few days and last night I feel a sleep right after supper. So tonight when I get home I will attempt to catch up on some critiques. Todays image is a pair of Common Loons, Lucy and I found last weekend when we were at Waterton National Park. We watched as they took turns diving for fish in a slough just off the Waterton River. The beautiful light was supplied by a wonderful sunrise.
Rick


Common Loon
Gavia immer
>

General Description

By Jim Davis

The Common Loon, a name probably derived from the old norse "loom" meaning "lame", aka the Great Northern Diver, is widely distributed in North America including Alberta, generally breeding north of the 49th parallel, in lakes where there is a plentiful supply of fish. While the breeding range extends to Greenland, as well as to Iceland with a breeding population of approximately 300 pairs, these populations are somewhat restricted by a lack of freshwater lakes.

Wintering grounds include: the western and eastern N.A. continental margins; and the Gulf of Mexico; and the Northwestern European continental margin, where in addition to the winter migrants, there is some incidence of non-breeding birds remaining during the summer. Migration is largely by day in small groups.

In Alberta they are rarely seen before ice break-up in the spring, or after freeze-up in the fall, unless there is open water, such as a dam spillway. Loons are sensitive to disturbance, with loss of habitat often due to pressure from boaters. Urban roosting sites include secluded sloughs and gravel pits, particularly those having deeper water.

This deep diver has a diet mainly of small fish, frogs, other marine organisms and vegetation.

It prefers secluded expanses of open water having secure nest sites, such as islands. On small bodies of water a single pair is the norm. The nest is found at waters edge primarily due to their limited mobility on land. Islands, beaver dams, and floating rafts of vegetation are typical locations. Strongly territorial, pairs often return in successive years to their preferred site. Sexually mature at two years, the female lays two eggs that are variegated olive-green-brown-black. Incubation is 29 days, attended by both birds. For several weeks young birds piggyback on one parent while the other dives for food. They self-feed by six weeks, and the norm for fledging is about 75 days, with some variation.
from Weaselhead.org
siggi, nglen, eqshannon, jaycee, Noisette, bobair, NinaM has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1388 W: 56 N: 4794] (16480)
  • [2009-04-26 5:02]

Hello Rick,
Fine capture of a pair of Common Loon. You were lucky to have them so near to get this sharp shot. Nice composition too.
Best regards Siggi

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2413 W: 94 N: 5586] (17766)
  • [2009-04-26 5:24]

Hello Rick,
Wonderful photo in great sharp details and very beautiful saturated colours, also in the water. Very nice poses, low POV and composition. What a beauties!
Regards,
Peter

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2926 W: 34 N: 8678] (32330)
  • [2009-04-26 8:59]

Hi Rick. This is worth waiting for Rick. You have taken a first class close up of the Common Loon which is a bird i have never seen so thanks for posting. They look so elegent just gliding in the water. Your use of the warm light has given fine detail and rich colours. well done TFS. All with goodd notes too.
Nick..

Knowing your longitude and the angle of the sun...wow..you sure lead a clean life with no bad input...I have a hard time with my arthritis this time of day..more or less hold a camera steady in the cool! Very well seen and super use of the light!
Bob

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2009-04-26 11:41]

Hi Rick,

I don't think I have seen a Common Loon before! Wonderful to capture a pair like this with one looking straight at you. Beautiful rich colors and razorsharp details of their faces, eye, bodies, and intricate patterns. They surely are fashion plates and very well designed.

Jane

Hello Rick
What a wonderful shot of this couple of common loons
great luminosity and fine details on the birds
I like the color of the water too
Have a good night
Jacqueline

  • Great 
  • bobair Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 398 W: 118 N: 1440] (5188)
  • [2009-04-26 17:25]

Hi Rick,
these two loons are very nice to see and today I managed to get photos of loons as well.Have you ,if you excuse the expression seen loons going loony!Today I watched the loon version of cabin fevered cat crazies.I watched a loon running on the water and splashing and diving in the most amazing frenzied sort of way and I could see no reason for it as the other loons were not even close by to take notice of the action.This photo has very good colour and those eyes are to die for as I am a very big fan of red eyed birds.These birds are graceful and elegant creatures and are amongst the most beautiful waterfowl there are here in Canada or for that matter,anywhere you might go in the whole world.Thanks for sharing these two with us. Bob

also marvellously
TFS
Nasos

  • Great 
  • NinaM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 801 W: 3 N: 2100] (6596)
  • [2009-05-07 9:18]

I had seen this picture and had to come back to it and leave a small appreciation. When I look at it, i am breathless. They are purely beautiful, fantastic. You picture them so well, Rick. The colours are superb but what light! The light is it and we often find this beautiful light in your picture, early morning, I guess. This new camera of yours really does magic with your eyes! bye bye,

Francine

Hello Rick,
Great capture of this lovely loons, I have never seen one..fantastic sharpness, depth of field and clarity, beautiful natural colors and nice pose.
Thanks
Angela

Hi Rick,

I've never gotten close enough to capture these beautiful birds as well as this. Congrats on a terrific capture...beautiful lighting as well.

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