A last-of-the-season fabulous boat ride produces less-than-fabulous photos of a family of common loons, in part because the birds and I bob up-and-down at what seem like different amounts/frequencies even though we’re on the self-same lake.
Always fabulous, notwithstanding distance, wave action, light, and (cough) shutter speeds.
Back on dry land, unencumbered by the complex wave-mechanics of Canada’s Shield lakes and untroubled by the shifts in the tectonic plates underlying the Shield itself, I turn my attention to a smaller-and-nearer photographic subject. My dragonfly-identification skills are not my strong point, but at least this time I know that I’m looking at one species. It is, after all, just one individual.
Male autumn meadowhawk? Pretty sure. Pretty fabulous.
Check out Ontario’s dragonflies and damselflies here.
Nice that there were loons for to you see/photograph even with the waves.
In July, we saw one loon at a far greater distance when we were at Waba Museum’s Open house(?) while on a catamaran ride.
Jim – We “expect” to see and hear loons on that part of White Lake, but it’s a huge lake. I’ve been kayaking out there and had an adult loon pop up at what felt like about 10 feet from the boat. I think it was as surprised as I was!
Excellent close-up!
Of course, how you captured the loons is how we actually see them – everything bobbing at once. Perhaps a metaphor for life.
Judith – I still haven’t quite figured out the range and angle for triggering a dragonfly’s avoidance response, but coming at them from the side seems to work better than a head-on approach, especially if leaning in from above. Too often, the angle is largely determined, if not out-&-out dictated, by where they land. For this one, I got lucky. As for the loons, I always hope for a sunny day and to be up-sun of them (those black heads skimming the surface want good illumination) but you get what you get. Another possible life metaphor. 🙂
The fragility and colours in this minute flyer lead me to think human flying machines have a long way to go to match their efficiency and loveliness. The delicate tracery of its shadow is a compelling aspect of your photograph. What could be a better metaphor for moments of ephemeral awareness highlighted in memory by that scarlet, segmented body? I sense a haiku emerging from your arresting photograph . . . .
Laurna – 🙂 They are extraordinary, aren’t they? I’m glad you like the photo.