p.71 #9 · Official Nikon Z 180-600mm f5.6-6.3 VR Image Thread
Loons cannot use their feet to brake their landing, as ducks can. Loons land by sliding onto the water on their breasts. They have become so physically adapted to a life entirely on water that they can no longer function on land. I wanted to know more.
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I am a wildlife biologist who loves observing and photographing loon behavior.
I also often refer to several excellent sources of *in-depth* loon researchers; these people capture/tag/release loons and take blood samples to test for mercury and lead. I will not attempt to list all of these researchers here.
However, my two favorites are Lucas Savoy and Walter Piper. I occasionally encounter Lucas on one of the ponds of my boyhood. Lucas's humble personality belies his vast loon-experience. Both these men (and their assistants) have caught and released very large numbers of loons.
I want to know how long loons have been adapting to their life, exclusively on water. Are they really ancient? I was very surprised by Walter Piper's discussion/conclusion on how ancient loons actually are.
p.71 #19 · Official Nikon Z 180-600mm f5.6-6.3 VR Image Thread
Lance B wrote:
Wonderful shot, good timing!
Thanks Lance...
It took a bit of maneuvering with the kayak and paddles to get the bills lined up. I think I managed one burst out of hundreds of images... this one was the best of the bunch with both eyes and beaks in focus... hard to do from a kayak, but nothing beats being low on the water with your subjects.
