Loon caboose

[Randy Stout]

When the loon chicks are too big to ride on the parents backs anymore ( 10-14 days old), they still like the protection and warmth of the parent, and will stick their head under the adults feathers.  The parents are very tolerant of this.

D810.  600VR  f/7.1  1/1250s  ISO 400

Advice and comments always appreciated.

Cheers

Randy

[Jakov Minić]

Amazing rendering, I like it a lot!

[Hugh_3170]

Another wonderful image of these delightful birds - and thanks for teh explanation o fthe young birds behaviour with its head under the feathers.

I notice that you are using a 600mm lens and a 1/250th second shutter speed - how do you stabilise this long lens and camera - I am assuming that you are in a boat of some kind?  Or is this an example of a good VR setup via the camera and the 600mm lens?

[Randy Stout]

Another wonderful image of these delightful birds - and thanks for teh explanation o fthe young birds behaviour with its head under the feathers.

I notice that you are using a 600mm lens and a 1/250th second shutter speed - how do you stabilise this long lens and camera - I am assuming that you are in a boat of some kind?  Or is this an example of a good VR setup via the camera and the 600mm lens?

Thanks Jakov and Hugh.

The 1/250s was a typo.  This one was 1/1250s. 

I shoot from a boat. It is almost impossible to shoot these birds from the shoreline, as they move constantly, working the lake for fish.  I have a 12' jon boat (flat bottomed) with a seat on the floor. The camera is mounted on a Wimberely that is on a pedestal which can swing side to side.  Almost all of my shooting takes place on still mornings, or in protected coves if possible.  I have had successful images in the 1/320s range with this setup, but really too many variables re: movement to reliably get below that.

I have a wireless remote control for the trolling motor, rather like a giant key fob, and use it to follow the birds as they move.

I have spent so much time with them, that it is easy to tell if they need more space, so I just back off.  In some of the areas where the specific birds know me well, the problem is them getting too close in to me.  They often will swim under the boat and pop up on the other side.

Cheers

Randy

[Hugh_3170]

Randy, many thanks for sharing how you stabilise your photographic setup.  Kudos to you also for getting to know your subjects so well and in gaining their trust.

[Randy Stout]

Thanks Hugh:

Here is a cell phone snap of the set up.  It evolves over time as I think of new wrinkles to try, but the basic concept has been the same for several years. I apologize my boat is a bit cluttered, normally things are stowed away, but I was just starting to unload it when this was taken.

Randy

[Hugh_3170]

Thanks again Randy - a very neat setup.

[John Geerts]

Great shot again, Randy.  And thanks for explaining the situation how to make this gorgeous picture.

[Peter Connan]

Thank you for both the boat and it's beautiful result!

[Erik Lund]

Really pleasing image! I really like the reflection, how it adds to the image


Nice specialist set-up! wow

[Akira]

Randy, now I realize (along with the leucistic swan image in another thread) that your images are a great marriage of your photographic skill and deep knowledge about the birds you are chasing, which is awesome!