1 The Idea: Capturing Creative Images

For several years, one of my favorite wildlife subjects has been the common loon. I am lucky to live in New Hampshire, at the southern fringe of where this bird of the north breeds in summer. Their super cute chicks and the attentive parenting behaviors are what first got me interested in photographing them. My idea for my 2022 project was to visit my "loon ponds" routinely from when the loons first came back in May until they left in October. I wanted to document the entire process of nesting, chick hatching, and growth through the summer until fledging. Another goal of the 2022 project was to get more creative images. I hoped spending more time with the loons would open up these opportunities. In this shot, the five-day old chick is riding on its parent's back. The parent is scanning for fish below. I think this image captures the chick's perspective on its first few days of life. I also like the checkerboard pattern of the adult breeding plumage is on display.