Transition Loon

[Paul Lagasi]

While out fishing on the Ottawa River today, this Loon surfaced a few feet in front of the boat, I've never seen an adult transitioning from breeding to nonbreeding plumage...this image is full frame, taken from rocking boat using VR in active mode.
Day was overcast, so colors not the best, I just love the eye color.....

D300
70-200 2.8 Nikon @ 200mm
iso - 400
1/1000
f3.5
handheld

[Arthur Morris]

Well done given the boat and the lighting.... Getting the green head would have been a coup.

[Randy Stout]

Paul:

Nice capture, showing the transition to non breeding plumage. Last month on the 30th, our Mich loons were just starting to show the change at the base of the bill. You can see it on this post.

http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/showthread.php?t=45933

I will be back up north this weekend, but alas won't have my boat with me. Would love to see how the chick is doing, and how far along the plumage change is.

thanks for posting.

Randy

[Brian Barcelos]

Love that eye and slightly open beak. Excellent job with given light.

Brian

[Ramon M. Casares]

Nice species an low angle, on my monitor it looks a tad underexposed... I would suggest a crop from the bottom.
Congratulations!

[Harshad Barve]

nice image with given conditions and light , I may take off some space in bottom
TFS

[Daniel Cadieux]

Hay Paul, nice bonus apparition for you out there on the river! I guess they've started their dispersal away from breeding territory lakes. Cool example of the plumage transition. I agree with a small crop form bottom.