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Fishing at Pyramid Lake


Fishing at Pyramid Lake
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: 2009-09-15
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon 5D MKII, Canon EF 600mm f4.0L IS USM
Exposure: f/9.0, 1/160 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-10-09 4:42
Viewed: 256
Points: 20
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
In September we found this Common Loon fishing at Pyramid Lake in Jasper National Park. The water is clear enough that we could see it underwater at times.

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. Within Calgary they enjoy the large expanse of the Glenmore Reservoir, and the abundant fish supply of the Bow River. 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
CeltickRanger, ingridshaul, nasokoun, nglen, ferranjlloret, Mikolaj, goldyrs has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • zetu Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 647 W: 15 N: 1589] (6203)
  • [2009-10-09 5:20]

Hello Rick
Excellent capture with great details and natural colors
Well done
Regards
Razvan

hello Rick

this passed summer from very far i saw a Common Loon
unfortunately i was with one of my compacts only 3x zoom
if i was with my bridge camera 28-300 35mm equiv
i could do a photo of this beautiful bird

you did a very beautiful photo of the loon, fine POV,
DOF, fine focus excellent sharpness and details,
beautiful reflexion on the water, here Rick i see
that you are with a fix lens, if not you could zoom
a little bit less to keep space where the loon is looking,

TFS

Asbed

Hi Rick,
The focus is just PERFECT!

The tiny drops of water on the animal's head and on top of the photo make me think, it started to rain?!?

I wondered, if the bird's eyes are that red naturally, but -after googling it - I assume this is caused by the light shining into the bird's eyes, as it is looking upwards. You were obviously standing above the animal...

Overall: a beautiful waterbird, beautifully captured and presented.

Have a nice week-end
Regards
Ingrid

hello Rick
very good close up and impressive,with beautiful reflection,very good output!
TFS
Nasos

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2908 W: 34 N: 8625] (32146)
  • [2009-10-09 11:17]

Hi Rick. This is a bird i have not seen before so thanks for posting. It has a nice shape to its head. A very streamline bird. Taken with fine detail and natural colours. Well taken TFS.
Nick..

Have a nice weekend.

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2388 W: 94 N: 5521] (17576)
  • [2009-10-09 12:28]

Hello Rick,
Fantastic photo of this Common Loon in beautiful natural colours and great sharpness. The details are marvelous, like the drops on the head. Good POV and composition.
Have a nice weekend,
Peter

Hello Rick,
Excellent capture of this species, great details. TFS
Regards. Ferran

Hello Rick! Wonderful capture. Perfect exposure. Ideal contrast and sharp. Nice colours. Well done!

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1351 W: 0 N: 5494] (16522)
  • [2009-10-10 13:45]

Hi Rick

Great shot of this Loon - here Great Northern Diver I believe. Lovely detail and I really like the angle of the head.

james

What a lovely shot of this loon, Rick! The head is framed very well by water!and the pose, as if on the verge of diving in! A very interesting note, too!
Bravo!
Goldy

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