This pair was fairly deep in the shadows so I had to work at pulling the exposure up quite a bit and cleaning up the noise.
At time of image creation, I had to go -1.3 EV so as not to blow the whites on the chest which made it tougher to recover the shadow areas. Overall I was pleased with it as my loon with chick images are typically with the female adults.
Nikon D300s, 70-300VR at 270mm, kayak, ISO 500, f8, 1/200, NearUniWB, CW metering, -1.3 EV applied.
I like the males head position in this one. Good job on holding the whites on breast. I have fought that battle a few times.:D It might be possible to tease out a bit more texture on the right side of the birds breast (his right side) by running a multiply blend mode on a selection there.
Perhaps you have already done so. I do have to go to that occasionally despite my best efforts on straight exposures.
I agree this is probably a male, but can you share with the viewing audience how you know that? Yodeling, bill shape, forehead shape?
I am sad that our loon season is done for me this year. One of the highlights of my shooting year.
Lovely capture, Jim. I love the pose and interaction between the two, and the greens are gorgeous. I would take a little off the left.
I am curious if you know why there is a darker section of the adult's plumage just above the chick's beak? I have never seen a loon before and wonder if it is normal for their back plumage to look washed out. I am not criticizing the picture...just wish to learn.
Male Loon and Chick
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