Pacific loon, Arctic North Slope, Alaska. Canon 5D Mark III, 500 mm f/4L IS II w/1.4x, (700mm), 1/800 sec @ f/5.6, ISO 640.
I’m back from another wonderful journey to Alaska’s Arctic. After a few days on the Arctic North Slope, photographing birds, I began a long trek through the Brooks Range (I’ll share pics from that trip soon). Clear skies in June in Alaska means that one’s photo schedule shifts to the night time (although there is no night) in order to optimize on the golden light. Spring is an active time for the many birds that return to the North Slope to nest and raise their young. I photographed this Pacific loon on a pond at 12:01 a.m. The family of loons are both unusual and distinctly beautiful. I saw many mating pairs along the tundra ponds in the vicinity. The brilliant red eye of this Pacific loon–a striking feature of the bird–is enhanced by the late evening light.
