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:

  1. Great image of an "Osprey" in that header!

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  2. 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!

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  3. 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

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  4. 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.

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

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

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  7. 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.

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  8. 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!

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  9. 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

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Thanks again
Coy