Red-throated Loon

My thanks to Norman Kikuchi, a San Francisco bay area bird photographer, living in Santa Cruz. I met Norman in Nome, even though he lives 60 miles from me. Small world.

Norman put me onto a pair of red-throated loons, insisting that I wade a half-mile through the marsh in my knee-highs, while wearing a bag blind - I do whatever Norman suggests - he's an incredibly gifted photographer!

Norman is from the school of "equipment is meant to be used". I certainly used mine - I brought back half the tundra in my tripod. Thanks Norman - I didn't fall and dunk my equipment - and I got some close shots! :-)

Taken IN one of the many productive ponds just outside of Nome.

Full-frame crop!

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Comments

{klb♥photography} says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called The Coolest DAMN Cool Photographers on Flickr, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.

wow!!! gorgeous shot!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Sergey Yeliseev says:

Great!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

terrygray says:

Great photo. Love the detail in this shot.
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

omarrun says:

Great shot of a beautiful bird
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

sindri_skulason says:

Simply outstanding! :-)

This image has been invited for submission at the Animal Kingdom group! The Animal Kingdom group allows for only the finest images of creatures to be submitted. By invite only; please read rules!

Animal Kingdom

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Photos MUST be tagged with "AnimalKingdomElite" or they will not be admitted to the pool!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Dirk-Jan says:

What a beauty!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

J Gilbert says:

Excellent.
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

JohnS2233 says:

Absolutely Stunning!!!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Jean Van Holen says:

Fantastic!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Crosscreek [deleted] says:

Look at that eye! Your bird photos are the best.
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

very1silent says:

Looks like you're getting to see some really great birds up there.
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Steve Byland says:

Absolutely fabulous (well worth the trip, I'd say)!
I think this bird image is really excellent. You are invited to post it to Excellence In Avian Photography. Please read the rules before posting your image.
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Red~Star says:

Well, first of all, this is an AMAZING shot of this gorgeous loon~love the RED throat.
Secondly, you provided us with a WONDERFUL insight of what it took to achieve this prize winning shot.
Thirdly, your humor is as good as your photography. I love how you added your humor in describing the wading in the water and the vegetation your tripod latched on to.
No wonder some photog's end up with such incredible bird pics. I never quite understood how they could capture pics so close, crisp and clear. Wading in water and wearing a blind would not be my "cup of tea".....but the results are National Geographic quality. This is the sharpest and most detailed shot of a loon I have ever seen. Bravo to you for following his suggestions. This shot should be framed and treasured. I love it.
[You can ignore this group invite.....I just wanted to add it to show my enthusiasm for this great shot].

Please add your Beautiful Photo to:
Beauty is in the *Eye* of the Beholder!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

raineys says:

Fantastic shot!!!

I really like your animal photo!
You are invited to post this photo to Spectacular Animals, invite only
www.flickr.com/groups/spectacular_animals/
Please add the tag SpecAnimal to your photo
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

jan hoffman says:

I am just getting into bird photography in a small way and find this inspiring and awesome. Not sure i will ever see anything like this beauty in my back yard but this certainly sets the standard. Amazing and thanks for sharing the picture.
--Jan
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Profrmdover says:

This is gorgeous....I know you are enjoying Alaska!! I'm envious!!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Passerine says:

Striking. Good shooting.
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Peter Baer says:

Wow! Beautiful.
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

mimbrava says:

This is magnificent.

I have faved and tagged your picture with BRAVO and this serves as an invitation to The Best: BRAVO.
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

AlexandraPhotos says:

Stunning shot. Beautiful clarity

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Seen in my contacts' photos. (?)

Congratulations!
your wonderful photo has been invited to "Stock the Park"
1. Please INVITE another animal to the group.
2. Please identify your animal/bird
3. Please tag your photo with "parkstock"
Thank you Stock the Park Group
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Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

amkhosla says:

That's too kind of you mimbrava. Norman gets all the credit - I was just glad I didn't fall into a pond, or get stuck in a bog. :-)

A
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

~XANE~[AWAY] says:

Amazing....

~This Photo is invited for~Beautiful Capture Group~
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

hearman says:

Wow this is amazing, what a beauty and alot of work to get it, lovely.
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Ms Ladyred says:

beautiful
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Doug Lloyd says:

OMG and only that short distance. FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
D
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Iryna (IIa K) says:

This is an excellent photo! Wonderful, wonderful shot!!!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

digitalART2 says:

Fabulous capture! It was worth the trouble!

This Great Photographic Art was made by a Diamond Class Photographer!
Please add your photo to Flicker Diamond The Diamond Class Photographer
Read the group rules please and tag your photo DiamondClassPhotographer
You may tag your photo again as flickrdiamond
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

MrTugs / John says:

Awesome shot, and your wading efforts have been well rewarded here! Instant fave.

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NaturesFinest
Please add this great photo to Natures Finest
Tag your photo with "NaturesFinest"
Invited with SIC
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

spiderhunters says:

Wading half a mile through a marsh. Wow!
Worth it for this shot.
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Ken Heffernan [deleted] says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Flickr Wildlife (Invitation Only), and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

mattisj says:

Great almost close-up portrait...

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Seen in the interestingness archives. (?)
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

MissyV110 says:

breathtaking

One of the most perfect loon shots ever. Splendid, congrats on a superb photo. Love it!!
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

phildimarino says:

this shot is close to perfection, both aesthetically and in technique.
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

Photo Patty says:

Ashok, seriously, I am blow away by this shot. This is my absolute favorite shot from you. Simply stunning in every way.
Posted 30 months ago. ( permalink )

John Elias Photography says:

really sharp....great photo
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

musicarver says:

That's incredible. Your hard work paid off.
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

Skipbro says:

Perfect. I don't know how to put it any better. Perfect, just perfect.
Posted 10 months ago. ( permalink )

Phil Armishaw says:

Amazing shot and well worth the effort!
Posted 3 weeks ago. ( permalink )

WithUibelong says:

beautiful!
Posted 4 days ago. ( permalink )

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Taken on June 19, 2007
Viewed 1,934 times
Replaced on October 22, 2007

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