Mornings with loons
The small lake surrounded by the Wild Rose Estates west of Bragg Creek is a very nice place to watch wildlife. I often find Great Blue Herons, eagles, geese and osprey plying their various trades in or around the water. One of my favourite visitors to the pond are Common Loons (Gavia immer). Occasionally I will see up to four of them swimming and diving. However, it is usually one couple who comes back in the spring, who then disappear for a couple of months and then return in late summer for a while before migrating on. They do not nest on this lake so I assume they disappear while they are nesting and raising chicks. When they return, that is when I usually see three or four loons together. The fishing at Wild Rose must be worthwhile.
Christopher Martin Photography 
Like the others I love the point of view and reflections plus narrow depth of field. Not sure about the sky at the top especially in the first one as I find it a little distracting.Hope you don’t mind my saying so.
July 19, 2013 at 2:47 pm
Don’t mind at all. That is pale grass that had not yet turned green. It was very bright and I can appreciate you finding it a little distracting. I chose the balance created within the picture as composed over the blown highlight but did also photograph the loon from a higher angle to avoid the grass. I liked these two images more in the end. That’s what I love about art, everyone sees things a little (or a lot) differently. I enjoy hearing other people’s views – thank you for sharing yours Jane.
July 22, 2013 at 9:09 am
and likewise, i learn by asking why people choose what they choose to do. thanks.
July 25, 2013 at 4:58 pm
Right on – feel free to ask anytime you have a question.
Have a great day Jane.
Chris
July 28, 2013 at 10:48 am
The colours are so stunning and the images are so crisp! I feel like they are right in front of me! Thanks for bringing a bit of tranquility to my day!
July 19, 2013 at 7:50 am
I’m glad to have been able to share a bit of the calm that the loons cast over me. Have a great day!
July 22, 2013 at 9:10 am
Awesome! I miss the loons while I was living in Montana. Every morning I’d go down to a lake and listen to their song as they dove in and out of the water.
July 18, 2013 at 6:42 pm
I grew up in Northern Minnesota where the loon is the state bird. I used to love sitting at the lake and listening to them in the evenings.
July 18, 2013 at 4:52 pm
I agree that the reflections in the water make a wonderful background to this beautiful bird.
July 18, 2013 at 4:19 pm
Great shots Chris. You dont often see the skittish Loon this close and from such a low angle. The green and yellow gradients are a great contrast for the black and white of the Loon and the water droplets add to the action of an iconic Canadian critter.
July 18, 2013 at 2:06 pm
Love the water level shot Chris! You don’t often see the especially skittish Loon so clearly and at this angle. The gradient of greens and yellows of the water and background make such a nice contrast between them and your subject. The water droplets visible add a sense of action to a very interesting and iconic Canadian critter.
July 18, 2013 at 2:03 pm
fantastic photos, particularly the top one. You look so close to the water level yourself…. like you’re there with the loon
July 18, 2013 at 2:01 pm