Loon Underwater & Repost

Gallery: AvianPosted November 4, 2010193 views7 comments

This was shoot at Horseshoe Lake south of the city of Jasper in Jasper National Park. The lake is beautiful and the water is very clear. My son and I went out early in the AM to shoot some images when this loon showed up. He would dive and feed around the edges of the lake. The water was so clear that we could watch him swim. I started shooting some images of him underwater. I would like to some opinions if this image works and if it is worth while. A P.S. to this experience. When my son and I left camp we took the food out of the car and put it on the picnic table because our wives were going to get up as start breakfast. Well they did not get up as soon as they planned. They both heard some noise outside the tents. When they looked out an elk had knocked the food tubs off the table and was helping herself. She ate our bread, some corn chips, bagels and was trying to get more. We got a good laugh as they told us how they were trying to shoo the elk away. When you are camping there is never a dull moment.

Canon 30D
Tokina 80-400
Aperture Priority
Shutter 1/90
Aperture f5.6
ISO 1250
190mm
noise reduction

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on November 4, 2010 at 11:58 PM

Hi Richard. I have been to this Lake many times but never thought of taking the great opportunity to try for a photo like this. The cliffs along the lake give you a good high vantage point, as well as the clear blue water you mentioned. The photo works quite well for me. I might suggest trying to increase the contrast a bit and perhaps try and add a little bit of canvas at the right side to give the feet a bit more room. Sounds like the elk have taken a page or two out of the bear's handbook of tricks.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on November 5, 2010 at 8:02 AM

I find this very interesting to look at Richard - nice job trying something new. Makes me wonder of the AF would lock on to the water surface or the bird in this situation. Perhaps a bit more room on the right for the feet.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on November 5, 2010 at 8:23 AM

Thanks for the comments. I was using manual focus. Here is a repost with a little more canvas to the right and I did up the contrast some.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by Pete Bengeyfield on November 5, 2010 at 9:33 AM

What a unique shot. Of course its worthwhile. The only thing better would be the elk eating bagles...

Registered on December 2, 2003, 1247 Posts, 3439 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Jones on November 5, 2010 at 5:04 PM

More than worthwhile IMHO. In some ways it's better than an underwater camera view, because it conveys what we might see if the rest of us got an opportunity like this. When loons are diving, all I can usually do is try to guess where they will surface next. Unique shot -- definitely a keeper.

Registered on April 18, 2007, 953 Posts, 6435 Comments

Comment posted by Monica Siri on November 6, 2010 at 1:08 PM

Cool image, Richard.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on November 6, 2010 at 5:38 PM

Very different and cool Richard

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments