common loon, king eider and shooting into the sun

[sean]

I was under the Burlington bridge last Friday looking for fun waterfowl.

It was very cold and the water was a bit misty, so the photos are not as clear as they could be.

I am pretty sure this first one is a common loon. How common is it to see one of these loons on the great lakes in the winter?
I thought they all flew south for the winter.



This next photo is even less clear, but I think I have a young king eider in the lower right of the frame.



While taking photos (towards the sun - because that's where the birds were), I was talking with another photographer and they were complaining that they could not shoot the birds with the sun directly behind them (the photographer). I often find the photos are more interesting when the light comes in from the side or the bird is backlit. It often shows the form of the bird better. Am I alone in this? does everyone else shoot birds with the sun at their back?

Here are some of the other birds I saw on Friday while shooting into the sun.

[fred.urie]

.

[MikeV]

When ever possible you should photograph with the sun at your back.
The lift bridge is good from the early morning till around 4 pm at this time of year for photography.
Problem is with out the boats coming and going the birds don't fly as much, so patience is needed for flight shooting.
Loons are seen frequently through out the winter on the great lakes. The end of November is a good time to look for them.

[Peter C.]

In that first bird, the sharp divide between dark/light on the side of the head looks very high up - sure you weren't looking at a Red-throated Loon?

[fred.urie]

.