Z8 + 500 PF, with the lens resting on the side of the kayak, and monitor flipped out.
A classic shot. This is the male of the couple which usually nests every year on the lake here (I recognize him by the marks on its bill). This year, however, they abandoned the nest (and the two eggs) after a bloody fight with two other loons (witnessed by a fellow photographer). Hopefully they will try again next year...
male Common Loon with his 2023 chick (10 days of age).
This is the new resident male on this basin. We first saw each other this spring (2023) and he is only gradually accepting me around.
In late June 2022 an intruding male entered the basin, attacked and eventually killed the former long-time (and older) resident (mated) male. I cannot be certain, but it is likely that the loon you see in this image is that intruding male from 2022.
I was devastated by the death of that older male. He and his mate were incubating and were within days of an expected hatching. And I had worked with this older male for a decade; we recognized each other.
Loons are capable of identifying individual people. Over the years and countless outings, that older male would greet me when I was entering or exiting the basin. He and his mate would probably hear me in the stillness of earliest mornings; they would paddle to the cove and then to within 10 feet or so of me, stop, moving their heads from side to side and then utter soft hoots..... "hoot.. hoot......hoot".
George DeCamp wrote:
A selection from this morning using both!
Thank you much for sharing over here too George! As always, your images are outstanding. I am truly envious of you because I am seeing almost no butterflies up here this year (about 47th N latitude) They'll recover.
I think you'll find that's a Gulf Fritillary on the Lantana. The GFrit is one I miss so much from my days in the glades.
Looking for more of your images George! Keep them coming
bs kite wrote:
Thank you much for sharing over here too George! As always, your images are outstanding. I am truly envious of you because I am seeing almost no butterflies up here this year (about 47th N latitude) They'll recover.
I think you'll find that's a Gulf Fritillary on the Lantana. The GFrit is one I miss so much from my days in the glades.
Looking for more of your images George! Keep them coming
Robert
Thanks so much Robert!! Yes you are correct it is a Gulf Fritillary! I had a senior moment!
Some general vacation photography from my most recent adventure. Previously it would be just dabbling in some landscape + dog photography. Now it's landscape + dog + birds.
