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Loons in NH on the 4th

Discussion in 'Birds' started by jfenton, Jul 6, 2005.

Page 1 of 2
  1. jfenton

    jfenton

    4,506
    Jan 26, 2005
    Haverhill, MA
    I got my butt out of bed at 4:00AM on the 4th to attempt to shoot a few loon pictures up in NH (USA)....It was somewhat cloudy and a bit breezy....but I managed some that I like and here are a few from what I've processed so far...

    All shot with a D2X and 500AFS-II:

    An early, low light shot....
    original.
    NIKON D2X    ---    500mm    f/7.1    1/200s    ISO 400


    As the loons swam around, the combination of the changing light sue to some scattered clouds above, coupled with varied backgrounds, made for some neat colors...

    original.
    NIKON D2X    ---    500mm    f/8.0    1/180s    ISO 320


    original.
    NIKON D2X    ---    500mm    f/7.1    1/125s    ISO 400


    And finally I got to see one of this years little "loonlings!"...

    original.
    NIKON D2X    ---    500mm    f/8.0    1/1250s    ISO 400


    original.
    NIKON D2X    ---    500mm    f/8.0    1/1000s    ISO 400
     
    jfenton, Jul 6, 2005
    #1
  2. Philippe Roger

    Philippe Roger

    3,497
    Feb 6, 2005
    South SF Bay Area, CA.
    Wow! I'm speechless. And all that time, I thought that loons where folks who escaped from the loony bin! ;-) Seriously, these are some really nice shots: I love the varying colors! 8) :lol:
     
    Philippe Roger, Jul 6, 2005
    #2
  3. Flew

    Flew

    994
    Jan 25, 2005
    Alabama
    Jim,

    Every now and then, someone posts some shots that just take your breath away (ref Yves shots last week ;-)). These are simply awesome. I think that you are ready to quit the day job, and do this full time.

    Amazing. :wink:
     
    Flew, Jul 6, 2005
    #3
  4. jfenton

    jfenton

    4,506
    Jan 26, 2005
    Haverhill, MA
    Phillipe....

    There are some who would say that I'm looney...just ask Frank or Harris.... :D 
     
    jfenton, Jul 6, 2005
    #4
  5. Flew

    Flew

    994
    Jan 25, 2005
    Alabama
    Re: Phillipe....

    Amen to that brother.... :lol:
     
    Flew, Jul 6, 2005
    #5
  6. jczinn

    jczinn

    1,196
    Jan 31, 2005
    Brooklyn, NY USA
    strikingly beautiful Jim. I'm just speechless!
     
    jczinn, Jul 6, 2005
    #6
  7. Gale

    Gale

    978
    Jan 26, 2005
    Viera Fl
    Nice shots Jim,

    JIM, PLEASE PICK UP YOUR PM'S
     
    Gale, Jul 6, 2005
    #7
  8. jfenton

    jfenton

    4,506
    Jan 26, 2005
    Haverhill, MA
    Hi Everyone

    Geez...thanks for the really thoughtfull comments / praise.

    The great news is that others were as pleased with these shots as I was :) 

    Thanks!
     
    jfenton, Jul 6, 2005
    #8
  9. Cory Cooper

    Cory Cooper

    300
    May 24, 2005
    Salem, NH
    More nice work Jim...still out and about not sleeping I see! ;) 

    I'll have to keep an eye out for you in my yard next!

    C
     
    Cory Cooper, Jul 6, 2005
    #9
  10. jfenton

    jfenton

    4,506
    Jan 26, 2005
    Haverhill, MA
    Hi Cory

    Would I find anything interesting there?????

    :) 
     
    jfenton, Jul 6, 2005
    #10
  11. Steve S

    Steve S

    4,741
    Feb 1, 2005
    SE Florida
    Real pro stuff!

    It just doesn't get ANY better than this, Jim! Your hard work is rewarded, and I have no doubt these will sell like hotcakes! Were you able to get fairly close to them? How do you do it? Also, do you use a release cable or hand press the shutter?
     
    Steve S, Jul 6, 2005
    #11
  12. dmwphoto

    dmwphoto

    22,474
    Mar 18, 2005
    Richmond, Va
    I really do not know how to say anything more flattering or appreciative than what has already been expressed. These are absolutly stunning images Jim!
     
    dmwphoto, Jul 6, 2005
    #12
  13. jfenton

    jfenton

    4,506
    Jan 26, 2005
    Haverhill, MA
    Hi Steve

    These were actually a bit tougher than I expected. I was out in my boat and I used the electric trolling motor to approach them so as not to spook them with the outboard and also so I didn't stir the water up :) 

    These were tripod mounted as I scrunched down in the boat (my calf muscles are still aching!).

    The tough part was due to the fact that the birds have both extreme ends of the spectrum as far as dynamic range is concerned. I had to keep the shutter speeds up (some of these were shot at as low as 1/160), try as much as possible to not blow the highlights on the white portion of the chest and not incur noise in the darker portions at the same time as trying to hold the highlights. I finally listed to Ron who was in the back of my mind chanting...."if it's white to your eyes, let it go".

    No able release was used....I popped 3 of everything and simply processed the sharpest of each set after selecting them in Thumbs Plus.

    All were shot on low contrast, Adobe RGB Mode III and +.3 hue added in processing.
     
    jfenton, Jul 6, 2005
    #13
  14. jfenton

    jfenton

    4,506
    Jan 26, 2005
    Haverhill, MA
    Dave...

    Thanks Dave....

    Nature did the work...I simply recorded it :) 
     
    jfenton, Jul 6, 2005
    #14
  15. Russ Smith

    Russ Smith

    197
    May 15, 2005
    Tallahassee, FL, USA
    Jim

    Those are really superb images.

    Great job!

    Russ
     
    Russ Smith, Jul 6, 2005
    #15
  16. mike mac

    mike mac

    12,409
    Jan 25, 2005
    East Norriton, PA
    Fantastic combo will be trying your boat tactics out when I head down the shore in August there are two osprey nests right at the end of the back bay should be able to get real close.
    Great shots BTW nice colors and very sharp
     
    mike mac, Jul 6, 2005
    #16
  17. jfenton

    jfenton

    4,506
    Jan 26, 2005
    Haverhill, MA
    Hi Mike...

    Thank you sir :) 
     
    jfenton, Jul 6, 2005
    #17
  18. james thiel

    james thiel

    8,843
    May 15, 2005
    Mill Creek, WA.
    Jim these are simply the best Loon shots I have ever seen. Wonderful job. It even makes getting up at 4:00 worth it doesn't it!! I have tried to shoot some loons before and I know first hand how hard they are. All I can say is I am very impressed. Thanks for sharing.
     
    james thiel, Jul 6, 2005
    #18
  19. Cory Cooper

    Cory Cooper

    300
    May 24, 2005
    Salem, NH
    Re: Hi Cory

    A bunch of wildflowers, several bird species, good conversation, and a few beverages...

    ;) 

    C
     
    Cory Cooper, Jul 6, 2005
    #19
  20. Gilles

    Gilles

    1,602
    May 20, 2005
    Québec, Canada
    As the saying goes "beauty is in the eye of the beholder". A wild lake without loon is'nt a wild lake.
     
    Gilles, Jul 6, 2005
    #20
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