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On an icy February morning, the eye of a female Golden Eye provides the lone spot of bold color in an otherwise monochromatic winter scene. The duck's brown head and grayish body distinguish it from its male counterpart, which is largely black and white with green head.

I spotted this loon on Hamlin Lake during a June hike in the Ludington State Park. Photographing it was a personal highlight in a photographic journey that spanned more than a year. I dreamed of reencountering the loon “twice as close” or “twice as close again.” But in six more months of hiking and boating in the park, I never saw a loon again. I am grateful for the opportunity to see this one.

I spotted this loon on Hamlin Lake during a June hike in the Ludington State Park. Photographing it was a personal highlight in a photographic journey that spanned more than a year. I dreamed of reencountering the loon "twice as close" or "twice as close again." But in six more months of hiking and boating in the park, I never saw a loon again. I am grateful for the opportunity to see this one.

Loon

Ludington Loon

I have only had an opportunity to photograph loons a handful of times and have never been satisfied with my results until today. While visiting a fellow photographer and her family at their cabin on Gifford Lake near Baldwin, Michigan, I photographed a pair of loons that were enjoying the sunshine and calm water. F5.6 at 1/1600, ISO 640, 600 mm lens with 1.4 extender at 850 mm