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At Home on Emerald Pond

Gallery: Weekly ChallengePosted April 21, 2013277 views13 comments

Not really "Emerald Pond" but that would be an appropriate name considering the reflections of the brightly-lit trees. I don't post bird images often, but when I do, it's often the result of lucky encounters while paddling. In this case, I was on an Adirondack pond popular with paddlers, where the loons don't seem to mind people. In this case, I slowly drifted into an area where loons were feeding. As I sat there watching, one pair feeding their chick went about their business, and actually closed in on me. I zoomed back to 150mm with my 100-400 to include lots of the green reflections. For that reason, I never posted this in the Avian gallery. I cropped over half the image to get a closer look for this post.

Canon 50D
Canon 100-400
1/400 sec. @ f/6.3; ISO 400
Hand-held from Kayak

P.S. Thanks to Jim for suggesting this WC! I hope we get lots of participants to show everyone what great photo ops we can get while floating around. Shooting from a small boat presents a whole new set of technical challenges, but also a bunch of views of nature that you just can't get any other way.

Comments

13 comments

Comment posted by Rick Turner on April 21, 2013 at 11:14 PM

Nice moment with chick peeking around Mom.

Great shot Wayne

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

Comment posted by Carolyn Derstine on April 23, 2013 at 1:15 PM

What a wonderful shot of these beautiful birds! The little one with the mother really gives an extra special touch to this image. Very sharp details of the loons and a nice contrast of colors with the green reflections in the water. I can see this challenge is to your liking since you often have posted images on NPN from your times paddling on lakes.

We had taken a vacation to the Adirondacks and were set to do kayaking on a lake where loons gather. . .unfortunately we didn't get the chance because of needing to go home early for a death in the family. Maybe someday! IMO being on the water is a very peaceful place to be. . .and your water images portray that feeling so well, Wayne.

Registered on February 16, 2011, 610 Posts, 3684 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Jones on April 23, 2013 at 1:58 PM

Thanks, Rick and Carolyn.

I know I am not the only NPN member who shoots from a boat, and I don't want to be the only one posting this week, so I just posted a "subtle reminder" in the Avian Gallery and in the NPN discussion forum (I hope you don't mind, Carolyn). I have literally hundreds of on-water photographs, but I won't post any more more until somebody else adds to this week's challenge.

UPDATE: I asked the moderators to delete the WC "billboard" post from the Avian Gallery, since large-size text obscured much of the bird photo, and it was meant only as a short-term reminder. (...and I promised never to do that again.)

Registered on April 18, 2007, 953 Posts, 6435 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on April 23, 2013 at 2:28 PM

WOW, this is really gorgeous, Wayne. I really like everything in this scene. I saw your message in the forum, so, here I am to take a look see.
I'm sure there are others out there like David C. who shoots cypress trees from various watercraft as I recall. I'm strictly a dry land kind of guy.

Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments

Comment posted by Carolyn Derstine on April 23, 2013 at 3:10 PM

I appreciate your reminder for all NPN, Wayne! But please, don't wait for others. I would love to see more of your images. . .you can add one every day of the week!

Registered on February 16, 2011, 610 Posts, 3684 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Fricke on April 23, 2013 at 3:52 PM

This one is sweet Wayne. Amazing color in the water and great detail in the loons. I love how the little one is peeking out from behind. Great capture!

Registered on January 19, 2007, 133 Posts, 1448 Comments

Comment posted by Mike Ramy on April 23, 2013 at 7:42 PM

Wayne,
This is a beautiful image in all respects. Great colors, fine detail, good action and outstanding behavior. More water would be fine with me.
Your closing P.S. insight is spot on, thanks for sharing your wisdom.
Well Done

Registered on June 16, 2012, 567 Posts, 2809 Comments

Comment posted by Carol Nichols on April 23, 2013 at 10:01 PM

Wayne, I always enjoy the images you post that are taken from your kayak. You really get to see nature from a different viewpoint than us landlubbers. I hope to see a whole boatload of your images posted this week!

The beautiful green in this image is stunning and the position of the loons is wonderful. I can't understand why you would not post this image in the Avian Gallery. They would love it over there!

Registered on November 7, 2007, 161 Posts, 1420 Comments

Comment posted by John Clulow on April 25, 2013 at 7:47 AM

I see why they call this Emerald Pond; beautiful color in the water accented by the B&W feathers of the ducks as well as the blue and red on the neck and eye, respectively. Cute how the chick seems to be peeking out at you around his mom as protector.

Registered on November 1, 2012, 155 Posts, 1079 Comments

Comment posted by Mike Ramy on May 1, 2013 at 4:33 PM

Congratulations Wayne the WP, well deserved . . .

Registered on June 16, 2012, 567 Posts, 2809 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on May 2, 2013 at 12:06 AM

Love it!
Congrats on the WP!
Sandy

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

Comment posted by Bill Fach on May 2, 2013 at 6:55 PM

Wayne: I really envy your kayak and the opportunities you have. What a beautiful bird and the chick is the perfect finishing touch. Congrats on the WP. >=))>

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on May 5, 2013 at 6:18 PM

Lovely look at these two, Wayne. Congrats on a well deserved WP.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments