Loon and Chick

Gallery: AvianPosted June 22, 2012293 views16 comments

Hey everyone! I just returned from a very successful trip to the interior of British Columbia. This was ultimately my first successful loon shoot, and it was a thrill to finally spend some well deserved time with this iconic species. Thanks for looking, and I look forward to sharing more from the trip!

-Joe

Nikon D800
600mm f4
ISO1600
f/4.0
1/320th
Handheld from boat

Comments

16 comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on June 22, 2012 at 2:03 AM

Loons and chicks are my favorite image! Nice oner here - love how the chick is looking up at mom.
Nice water/reflections too.
Looking forward to seeing more of what you got!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on June 22, 2012 at 4:15 AM

A beautiful and serene family portrait Joe

The large version is wonderful viewing!!! Excellent details and water color.
Sweet Photo!!!

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on June 22, 2012 at 7:38 AM

Nice job getting the two facing each other, appears the chick is looking to mom for support. Excellent job on both the subjects and nicely rendered water. Image might benefit from a slight cw rotation. Is this taken near Kamloops, seems to be the go-to location?

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on June 22, 2012 at 8:40 AM

One of the nicer loon photos I have seen. The chick looking up IMHO is what sets this shot apart from many other loon photos. Well done. Thanks for sharing.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Turner on June 22, 2012 at 9:02 AM

Great interaction from Mom and chick.

Registered on February 18, 2012, 534 Posts, 2755 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on June 22, 2012 at 12:11 PM

Excellent job! That camera body is turning out to be an absolute winner from what I've seen.

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Daniel & Loana on June 22, 2012 at 12:19 PM

Wonderful shot, Joe. I like the POV and the pose of the two subjects.

D&L

Registered on October 7, 2008, 166 Posts, 3044 Comments

Comment posted by Joe Sulik on June 22, 2012 at 12:30 PM

Thanks everyone! This was also my second trip with the D800, and I have to admit it has changed the way I shoot forever. Truly near-medium format, and the dynamic range has been astounding. This is a fairly strong crop, and it still came down to be 16mpx. I highly recommend it!

Registered on January 7, 2009, 51 Posts, 165 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Jacobson on June 22, 2012 at 1:08 PM

I too like the interaction between the chick and mother loon. I also like the low perspective. You certainly traveled quite a ways to capture this loon image. I have had good luck just north of Detroit Lake, which is about an hour away for you.

~Jake

Registered on May 20, 2012, 17 Posts, 41 Comments

Comment posted by Joe Sulik on June 22, 2012 at 1:54 PM

Thanks Jake! This trip wasn't specifically for loons, but now I've been much more motivated to scope out some places closer to home. Where near Detroit Lakes do you shoot?

Registered on January 7, 2009, 51 Posts, 165 Comments

Comment posted by Danny Laredo on June 22, 2012 at 2:27 PM

Sweet image. love the interaction.

Registered on March 18, 2008, 71 Posts, 332 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Jacobson on June 22, 2012 at 3:46 PM

Hi Joe,
I figured you had other reasons to travel to British Columbia. I have photographed loons on several lakes across Minnesota and Canada. It is more about timing and technique than location. I rented a small fishing boat from New Horizon Resort on White Earth Lake to photograph some loons (it is about 30 miles north of Detroit Lakes).

Registered on May 20, 2012, 17 Posts, 41 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on June 22, 2012 at 6:27 PM

Nice shot, Joe. They have such a wonderful haunting voice. Reminds me of my canoeing days in the Boundary Waters.

Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments

Comment posted by Barry R. Byrd on June 23, 2012 at 7:40 PM

Love this Joe- the BG and FG OOF areas really make this shot- well seen and captured