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Thread: Molting Common Loon - the stresses of raising junior!

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    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    Default Molting Common Loon - the stresses of raising junior!

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    I had my last visit with the loons for the year two weeks ago. This mom was molting a little earlier than all the other adults, and I am sure the endless pestering from the juvi didn't help! Fascinating to see the pattern of change in the feathers and the bill.

    D4 600VR f/5.6 1/2000s ISO 1000 mounted in the bottom of my little boat

    Post: 20% crop for comp, one spot cleaned up in the water, selective sharpening

    I liked the bright blue bow wake, the still vivid eye and the changing feather patterns

    Advice and comments always appreciated

    Cheers

    Randy
    Last edited by Randy Stout; 09-09-2012 at 03:20 PM.
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    Lifetime Member gail bisson's Avatar
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    Another lovely loon shot.
    Of course, a pano crop is the only way to go!
    I too, like the blue bow wake and really like the reflection of the blue wake. Very neat. IQ and exposure are excellent.
    I also like the slightly ruffled back feathers as it adds dimension to the shot.
    They really do look raggedy at this time of year don't they?
    I am not sure about the yellow elliptical circle in front of the bow wave.
    Gail

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Hi Randy, super low angle from your boat once again, , sharp, and you have brought out the finer detail on the head and bill very well. I too like the blue bow wave, and am wondering why you cut off the rest of the reflection of the head, as what we can see looks fine.

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    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    Thanks Gail and Stuart.

    Gail- I did look at the yellow, but thought it worked with the yellows in the upper portion of the frame, so left it.

    Stuart - the lower part of the reflection suffered from the classic double eye/bill disease, so it had to go.

    Cheers

    Randy
    MY BPN ALBUMS

    "Tact is the art of making a point without making an enemy" Sir Isaac Newton

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    I like the molting loon. I like seeing different shots of loons rather than always the classic.
    Great exposure.
    I am not a fan of the blue water simply because I find it distracting.

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    Landscapes Moderator Andrew McLachlan's Avatar
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    Hi Randy, great detail, love the blue bow wake. I have not yet seen any loons this season with the molting plumage as of yet. The loons up at the lake lost one of their chicks early in the year, but the one that survived is doing very well.

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    Beautiful Shot,Randy.Amazing details visible on the Loon and Great BG.Like the Blue bow wake and also the sharp red eye.TFS

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    Lifetime Member Marina Scarr's Avatar
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    So glad to see you posting the loons in various plumage and at different ages. It's educational and interesting. Loving the blue wake and the yellow b/c it adds so nicely to the environment of this species and helps to show the movement as well. The only thing I would do to this capture if it were mine is to burn the loon's back a little bit and just a tad around the face to tone it down. I feel as though it made quite a difference to an already fine image.
    Marina Scarr
    Florida Master Naturalist
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    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    Marina:

    Because of the molting, the face is no longer black, but a dark gray. The body feathers are starting to fade from their dark black breeding plumage as well. This particular bird was really molting early. Usually in my area at this time of the year, you will have some gray around the gape only. I was pleased to get to see her at this stage.

    Thanks everyone.

    Cheers

    Randy

    Cheers

    Randy
    MY BPN ALBUMS

    "Tact is the art of making a point without making an enemy" Sir Isaac Newton

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    Very nice looking bird and love the green water and blue bow Randy! Perfec morning light makes this one for me. TFS

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    Technically excellent....but the plumage shown is great! and, rarely shows up in the avian photography forums.
    Very cool.

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    Wonderful shot. Love the blue wave in front, excellent details, I really like the water color, and excellent comp.
    Well done.

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