Red-throated Loons

Gallery: AvianPosted January 27, 201532,767 views13 comments

Another photo from the Seward Peninsula near Nome Alaska. This particular pond was very productive for our group last spring. Along with this pair of loons constructing a nest, long-tailed ducks, green-winged teal, red-breasted mergansers, pintails, greater scaups and red-necked phalaropes often visited during our times at this pond.

Canon MKIV; 600mm; 1/1600; f9; ISO 800; tripod; manual spot meter

All your comments and suggestions are very much appreciated.

Comments

13 comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on January 27, 2015 at 8:35 PM

awesome reflection and I really enjoy the OOF bird in the background. Nothing to dislike

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by David Haynes on January 27, 2015 at 9:29 PM

Wow Ken, Sweet image. For some it might be a distraction but I really like the reflection lines on the face of the main subject. Perfect head turn, great light, nice water color and tack sharp. Love the second OOF Loon in the background. It really makes this image for me. This pond sounds like a dream. Beautiful Ken.

Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Zablotny on January 27, 2015 at 10:10 PM

Hi Ken,

Lovely image with nice rich colors. I like the light reflections in the water and on the loon's face. I never get a chance to see them in breeding plumage down here in Michigan............Jim

Registered on January 17, 2004, 705 Posts, 3594 Comments

Comment posted by Ralph Kerr on January 28, 2015 at 8:05 AM

Ken, you captured many elements in this photo. The reflection lines on the face and the golden shadows on the ripples, not to mention the great light. Just a great photo.

Registered on January 30, 2007, 369 Posts, 852 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on January 28, 2015 at 10:25 AM

Gotta love the lower angle and the lovely colors/reflections. I like the OOF loon in the background to help set the environment. My only wish is the front bird was looking the other way to aid in the composition. Oh well, can't control all the elements all the time

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on January 28, 2015 at 11:34 AM

Wonderful image of an equally wonderful species. Nice reflection, especially on the eye.

, Hans

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on January 28, 2015 at 2:21 PM

Hi Ken

Extremely creative work... love everything about this composition. especially the sublime light and color

Albert Darmo
Canada

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hansen on January 29, 2015 at 11:21 AM

Beautiful and interesting shot. Complementary light and I am enjoying the water reflections on the foreground loon. My mind keeps moving the foreground bird to the lower right corner and the OOF bird to the upper left corner so they would both be looking into the picture.

Registered on May 5, 2011, 161 Posts, 908 Comments

Comment posted by John Robinson on January 29, 2015 at 3:55 PM

All been said Ken. Lovely shot. Its not the end of the world but I have to say I would have preferred the front bird on its own
Sorry !

John

Registered on March 2, 2008, 535 Posts, 2453 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on January 29, 2015 at 10:02 PM

I like the comp here a lot Ken. The OOF bird really balances out the image...especially with he head turn looking to the short side of the frame. Nicely seen and well executed.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Stephen Kaluski on January 30, 2015 at 8:02 AM

Hi Ken, love the warm saturated colours and radiating bow waves, but agree on the comment about having the main subject looking the other way. The BKG Loon seems to anchor the whole composition for me. Have you thought about flipping the image L to R, old Advertising days for me, but having some subjects coming in from the RHS seems to sit better, but again, just a thought. Not sure about the choice of Spot metering, I think you are asking a lot, but again personal preference and if it works for you great. Might be worth if you get the opportunity to shoot in both Evaluated & Spot to compare the RAWs.

TFS
Stevr

Registered on March 25, 2007, 189 Posts, 1064 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on February 1, 2015 at 8:25 AM

Beautiful! the light and the colors are very nice. I like the out of focus Loon in the background, make for a nice composition.

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by William Bickle on February 1, 2015 at 12:02 PM

Hello Ken

Another of your Great Captures. I have read the many comments and some suggestions, but I like it, for what it is! BEAUTIFUL!!:) There are so many REALLY-COOL things going on here!

Cheers

Bill

Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments