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Thread: Loon chick

  1. #1
    BPN Member Steve Maxson's Avatar
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    Default Loon chick

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    Monday, my wife and I were in kayaks surveying grebes when we spotted a loon brood ahead of us. We paddled to within about 35 meters for a look, whereupon the attending parent dove leaving the chicks on their own. The next thing I knew, one of the chicks (about 4 days old, I'm guessing) starts swimming straight towards me - right up to my kayak. It looked like it wanted to climb aboard, but didn't know how. :) My camera setup had a minimum focusing distance of about 6 feet which is a problem when the chick is only 2 feet away! I did manage to get a little distance between us so I was able to take some photos. The little guy seemed to be completely relaxed. After a couple minutes, we quickly paddled away so the chick could get back to its real parent. 40D, 300 f/4 + 1.4X, 1/500, f/8, ISO 400, handheld, full frame. Comments are welcome.

  2. #2
    Lifetime Member Doug Brown's Avatar
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    A lucky encounter for you Steve! And a nice photo too. I had a similar experience a month ago when a 3" tall baby burrowing owl hopped right up to my girlfriend about 6" from her feet. It checked her out for a couple of minutes and then hopped back to the burrow. Getting back to the photo, I wonder if a little extra contrast would improve the image? Thanks for posting!

  3. #3
    Axel Hildebrandt
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    Great story and even better image! The calm water, soft light and details are great! I might put the little guy a bit higher in the frame and adjust the black point.

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    Lovely details. Like the eye contact.

  5. #5
    Roman Kurywczak
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    Hey Steve,
    This is great! BG/ subject/ details/lighting all came together.......... and the kayaking work....Sweet!

  6. #6
    Maxis Gamez
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    Hi Steve,

    What a lovely head angle, light and composition. Love the water. Very nice!

  7. #7
    Cheryl Ertelt
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    Lovely portrait. No nits from me.

  8. #8
    Steve Wheeler
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    Cute factor WAY UP.... Great story.... Lovely image. Head angle, framing, details all very nice!

    Steve

  9. #9
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    What a nice image, and story too. That cute chick is so perfectly framed by the beautiful smooth blue water. Great work.

  10. #10
    Robert Amoruso
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    Wonderful story and image.

  11. #11
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    Lovely, I like the light, and the water colour, the compo looks fine, although I woul'd try to keep the reflection or to cut it more, but that peacefull look has no price. It is just wonderfull. Congrats!

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