An Update on the Loons’ Ponds

The weather has kept me from getting out the last few days. The Westons should have chicks by now, the Middletons are due momentarily and the Eastons will be on their nest another couple weeks. Let’s see what else has been happening.

The Tenney Memorial Library will host me for my slideshow, An Uncommon Look at the Common Loon on Sunday, June 23, at 2:00 p.m. Free and open to the public.

Before we get to the ponds, take a look at what my game camera caught. This camera was set up in my blind watching one one of the fox dens. Guess I’m glad I took that morning off.

There’s less activity around the ponds. Most songbirds are on their nests or feeding chicks and not out and about to be photographed.

great blue heron perched on a tree
The great blue heron couple has returned to the Easton’s pond. This is the pair that is fairly skittish, but show up to give me two or three great photo ops for the year.
Bull moose feeding in shallow water
The highlight of my recent trips was this bull moose. He’s been in the area for several days. Usually he browses until just before the sun hits him. When he’s in danger of being nicely lit, he retreats to the woods. This time, he spent about 40 minutes browsing in bright sunlight. I may have taken more than one photo…..
Bull moose feeding in shallow water
Nice to see a good-sized bull in sunlight.
common loon sitting on nest
The Eastons have selected a new nest site – last year’s is just above water level this year. They’re in deep shadow all morning, guess I’ll have to get back a couple afternoons.

The resident osprey was interested in fishing in the relatively shallow water near the loons’ nest. The off-duty loon seemed to be moving out of the way for the osprey to dive. Professional courtesy or just not wanting to be nearby when the osprey dove? The osprey finally caught breakfast well down the pond.
Common loon stretching on a foggy morning
A check on the Westons found one loon settled on the nest and the other just hanging around. The highlight of the morning was a couple nice wing stretches.
common loon stretching on a foggy morning
Another nice stretch.
common grackle reflecting on a pond as it forages
It was such a beautiful spring morning, even the grackles looked good.
Common loon stretching  wings
A visit to the Middletons found one loon on the nest, the other lazily cruising the pond, eventually giving a good wing stretch.
Common loon swimming  on a pond
And a nice low-key shot as our loon cruised along the pond.

I’ll be out to check on the chicks as soon as the weather breaks. Check back soon to see how they’re doing.

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2 Comments

  1. Reply
    Diana June 11, 2024

    Your photos are absolutely award winners. Thank you from the bottom of my pea-pickin heart for allowing us to delight in them.

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