Common Loon watching for mate to return

[Randy Stout]

This loon was imaged a few weeks ago in the early evening. This pair had lost their chicks, and so would often disperse during the day to a bigger lake, but then return towards evening to their lake. They often would come in at different times, so I got pretty good at telling when the second one was returning based on the behaviour of the first one back. Quite touching, they would peer up into the sky, and when they saw their mate, would give a soft hoot and watch them land, and then swim over for some greetings, with head dipping and circling.

Nikon D500 600 f/4 @ f/6.3. 1/1250s, ISO 640. Taken from bottom of my little loon boat

Post: LR and PS. Light was very nice so didn't need to do much. No increase in saturation, the eye was great straight out of the camera.

Advice and comments always appreciated.

Cheers

Randy

[Daniel Cadieux]

I like the colours on the face and neck. Cute pose. Good greens throughout. A bit pale overall on the back half of the body with the light shining off (or are the feathers bleached from the summer sun?). I'd perhaps blend away the pale streak almost touching the back. Love the low-profile look, and I especially like the tail just off the water but still touching it (if that makes sense?).

[Brian Sump]

Beautiful and usual. Perhaps the whole image might benefit from a bit more pop or color sat.

Is the line under the eye common for Loons? Don't remember seeing that before.

TFS!

[Randy Stout]

Thanks guys. Brian, the streaks on the head are reflections off the water. More evident because of the heads angle towards the water.

Randy

[Brian Sump]

Thanks guys. Brian, the streaks on the head are reflections off the water. More evident because of the heads angle towards the water.

Randy

Randy, sorry I meant the line (indentation) in the feathers under the eye

[Randy Stout]

Randy, sorry I meant the line (indentation) in the feathers under the eye

Brian: My bad. The line under the eye is probably and old injury scar, not normal.

Randy

[David Roach]

Love the watchful pose and the tones work well for me. Glaringly not a "common" loon from an intimate POV. (So, what's new) TFS

[William Dickson]

Very nice looking frame. Nice colours throughout which are very pleasing to the eye. Great POV with the usual great detail on the bird. Love the pose.

Will

[gail bisson]

A lovely frame.
Nice to see this different head angle.
The blacks look washed out on the back-is this natural due to sun bleaching?
I would soften the edges of the brown grass behind the head,
Gail

[John Mack]

The low angle is nice. Also like the way the bird is looking up. Nice and sharp with good detail.