Saturday, March 29, 2008

Common Loon



There is nothing common about the beautiful contrast and colors of the Common Loon.

Today I splashed my little boat for the first time this spring and took to the water in search of images. The air temp was 29 F this morning with a stiff North/North West breeze. This was my first attempt at photographing birds from the boat. Bobbing about in the small waves, driving the boat with a foot controlled electric motor, and trying to manipulate a 400mm lens all at the same time was quite a chore. Many of my shots ended in the recycle bin but there were enough keepers to make the morning more than a success.

This Loon allowed me to approach within about 30 yards. After I had shot about 40 images it tired of the game and dived. In a few minutes it resurfaced some distance away and I moved on in search of other subjects. The Osprey on my new header was another capture from this morning's boating excursion.

I will continue to post shots from our Florida trip interspersed with shots that I am currently capturing.

9 comments:

Chad Oneil Myers said...

Great image of an "Osprey" in that header!

Kerri Farley said...

WOW! Fabulous shot! I wonder where "crazy as a Loon" came from....because this guy is LOVELY! Maybe they should chance the saying to LOVLEY as a LOON!

I took my first butterfly shots last weekend and posted them this morning.....and I also have an award for you. I know sometimes these things can get annoying, but it was meant to let you know that I think your blog is GREAT!

Tom said...

I have seen these birds before, are these the ones I here in the background of films?
What a great boat that sounds.. it is strang how wild life will let you that bit closer when not walking. I can get very close to stuff when I'm sat in my land rover.
I was going to comment on the new header, I would be thrilled to see such a bird. One was sighted nearby two weeks ago... it would just have been passing by. One day I hope to get a sighting.
Tom

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Salty: I do really love the Osprey on wing.
What was really funny, I read your title and said to myself, there is nothing common about a Loon. Then I look down and it is repeated. I guess great minds think alike. I love the Loon picture and your photos always make me smile.

photowannabe said...

Terrific header Salty. I also really like the Loon. Do they have a lonesome call?

Stacey Olson said...

I like the osprey header, great change. I grew up with the haunting call of the loon, an unmistakable sound.. thanks for the memories.

DeeMom said...

Salty, the Loon picture is gorgeous. My Hubby speaks of them when he goes to Canada.

The Little Herons are amazing

I finally figured out how to link some of the Blogs I really enjoy. I do believe this will be an additional help for me to visit your blog more often.

Coy Hill said...

Chad;
Thanks, I though you would like it 

Kerri;
There is nothing loony about a loon. on a site dedicated to word origins it stated that loony comes from the wood lunatic.

Tom;
You are correct about the loons call; it is frequently used in films.

Fishing Guy;
Thanks so much for your comment. I expect you see quite a few loons while you’re out fishing.

Photowannabe;
Yes they sure do! And it is a beautiful sound!

ASHE said...

I've never seen a loon this close up, how cool! I really like your new header, too. Gotta change 'em up every now and again :P