Loon shot I was looking for

[Steve Foss]

This is from a bunch more loon work done last night. I wasn't able to get this type of shot on Friday night, and it's the one I've been after for three years. This chick was one of a pair of chicks that are several days younger than the one featured in the loon shots on the "photo sharing" board. So it's smaller, fluffier and cuter. I used flash to fill the shadows in this image, since the light was from the side and a bit behind. Enjoy.

[floating minnow]

Congratulations Steve,

That is an incredible shot.I've never been lucky enough to see such a thing let alone get a great shot like that.It must feel great to get that shot you've been waiting so long for.

[Headin' North]

Wow,what a shot Steve.That has to be very satisfying.That pic should grace the cover of a nature magazine.

[buzzsaw]

Time, place and opportunity! Great picture, doe's the original have the whole body of the Loon on the right?

[Deitz Dittrich]

simly amazing!

[Dbl]

Congratulations Steve, what a picture!

[Steve Foss]

Thanks everybody.

Buzz, the loon on the right is fully in the frame in the original. I compared the two crops and like this one better because to remove the body behind the neck emphasizes the interaction between the adult and chick.

[Dan Thiem]

WOW! That should win some kind of award! Truley amazing Steve. Way to go man!

[Jill]

Truly beautiful photo. I wouldn't mind owning a copy!!

[Steve Foss]

Jill: Feel free to e-mail me about that. I sell fine art prints through my Web site, although this one is not on the site yet. It would require custom matting and framing, since it is a long narrow horizontal.

[Swimmer]

stupendous.

[mcary]

Beautiful image Steve! One of those truly difficult and special captures!

[Juan Grande]

Steve,

That is one of the coolest pictures I've seen.

Speaking of loons, I have a question. I was out fishing this weekend and a saw a group (flock?) of 5 loons swimming together.

I fish on this lake quite a bit and have only noticed one pair of nesting loons on the lake. They were all full grown and three of them were swimming together and two more flew over and landed with the others.

Is it a common occurence for loons to group together like ducks or geese? Maybe a dumb question, but I've never seen it before. I thought loons were very territorial.

[Steve Foss]

Nesting loons are territorial, but what you saw was a gathering of non-breeding adult loons, which often group together in summer. I'd not seen that ever until a couple years ago, when I counted 14 adult loons in July, all swimming and fishing together on the lake where we have our cabin near Bemidji. The DNR non-game specialist said it's pretty common for them to form groups that large and larger during summer, all of non-breeding loons. She didn't know why some loons breed and some do not, but there you have it. In fact, I've heard of some really large groups of loons together on the really big lakes.

[Ely Lake Expert]

Wow, first time I have looked at the photo forum. Very nice picture steve.

[Finns]

Steve; We counted 34 last year and 29 this year on Birch Lake, Ont. (NE of Red Lake). It was a sight to behold.

Finns.

[The_Duckslayer]

Quote:

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Wow, first time I have looked at the photo forum. Very nice picture steve.

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WOW, if you are not on dial up you have some great times ahead perusing the pictures here and on the photo sharing board. Many great photographers out there and they are all willing to share! Thanks for sharing guys and great surfing Ely Lake Expert.

Oh by the way, I an not an expert at anything! An ex is a has been and a spurt is a drip of water under pressure. ;-) Have a good one and N Joy the Hunt././Jimbo

[Ely Lake Expert]

Duckslayer,

I have a good connection here at work. At home I have dial up , I actually refuse to use it most of the time. Ya, I have alot of pictures to look at now if I get bored during the day. Also, I only claim expertise on one lake and it really isn't all that big of a lake either.

[Steve Foss]

Bump