Posts in Category: Herons

My 2025 Favorite Photos

On January 1, 2026 - Bears, Foxes, Herons, Owls, Shorebirds, Turtles

Here’s a roundup of my favorite photos from my adventures in 2025.

I’ll be showing my slideshow on visiting the puffins on Machias Seals Island at 2:30 pm on Sunday March 22 at the Tenney Memorial Library, Route 5, Newbury, VT. Free and everyone welcome. And, stay tuned, the Piermont, NH, Library wants me do a slideshow of the best of 2025. We’re checking the dates the hall is available. It should be one of the first three Sundays in March.

And it is last call for my 2026 Wildlife Calendar. I’ve got only a few left, you can get yours on my site here. There are lots of images available in many sizes from note cards to wall art.

OK, the critters….

Last winter, I took several trips to the Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts coasts. The goal was to find owls.

This is Leo, the long-eared owl. He’s on my list. There were three long-eared owls living in about half an acre of trees alongside a parking lot. Even in that small a hideout, they were discouragingly hard to find. I spent about 40 hours waiting for them to move out to sun themselves. Without success. And, it didn’t help that every photographer east of the Mississippi would stop by to show me shots they’d taken of all three owls sitting together in perfect light in the open. This was the clearest shot I could get.

There were several snowy owls around the coast. They all seemed to have found perches that kept the crowds at a distance.

There are a couple screech owls that have gained fame with the photographers. They were more kind, snoozing in openings of their nests.

Another screech owl snoozing in his doorway.

My first few excursions out in the spring found the early ducks returning. Here’s Mrs. Mallard taking a bath.

And Mr. Mallard got a little too rambunctious while bathing…..

Wood ducks are always a treat to photograph.

Another screech owl, this time peering out as he gets ready for an evening out.

Another trip out found another wood duck.

Sometimes you don’t even need a cute critter to make a nice photo.

In early June, I retuned to the shore, just in time to catch the first piping plover chicks hatching. These chicks are one day old.

The chicks hide under their parents for protection and to keep warm.

But they’re capable of foraging by themselves. This chick attempted to nab a fly. The fly was lucky, and managed to climb atop the chick’s bill. The chick wore the fly around a bit before the fly took off to live to fly another day.

The chicks are only about the size of cotton ball and don’t seem to fit their legs. They’re capable of short bursts of speed but often look awkward when they’re walking.

He’ll soon get the hang of this walking stuff….

The chicks scoot along the beach using the grass as cover.

The beach also had a large colony of common and least terns. They’re constantly coming and going. And, they’re not shy about dive bombing anyone that disturbs them. The males carry fish around to present to the ladies. If the lady accepts the fish, they become a pair for the season.

This may be the world’s most inept male tern. He presented the fish to his lady and she showed she was receptive. But the male didn’t catch on for some time, with the female presenting and chirping away until he figured it out.

Here’s a pair of common terns doing a synchronized dance as a courtship display.

And completing the dance just before mating.

On one of my early trips out in the kayak, this veery showed up as I was loading up. He? sat on a branch that was overhanging my car, just about at eye level. He was unperturbed when I put the boat on the roof, and soon was foraging almost underfoot. I took the hint and got the camera back out.

Male red-winged blackbirds are early arrivals. They’re easy to spot before the reeds grow up. This guy was finding small bugs in last year’s cattails.

And, just when I thought I had my ducks in a row…..

I watched a fox den for a time in the spring. There were two or three kits, but usually only one would come out at at time.

A little later in the summer, I explored some of the beaches along the Connecticut shore and found more piping plover chicks.

And several northern diamondback terrapins out laying eggs above the high-water mark.

There were several pairs of American oystercatchers on the beaches. The oystercatcher banders are good at banding – I couldn’t find one that wasn’t banded.

Hank heron made himself scarce in the spring, but by early summer he was back at his post along the loons’ pond.

One foggy morning, I took just a couple photos of the loons through the thick fog. I pulled the boat out and had it atop the car when I noticed these deer had come out of the brush along the shore. I’m amazed they hadn’t spotted me in the open. I ducked behind the car and had about 20 minutes watching them forage and frolic before they finally did spot me.

I think the fawns are twins, and a second doe was traveling with the family.

Another morning finds Hank again posing nicely.

In September, I visited southeastern Alaska. I took the ferry from Juneau to Haines before going on to Skagway. The scenery from the ferry is amazing. Here’s the Sentinel Island Lighthouse we passed north of Juneau.

The attraction in Haines is the brown bears. I was able to spend four days – four rainy days – along the Chilcott River watching the bears fishing for salmon.

This is a first-year cub. One of a litter of four, a real rarity for bears.

This is brown bear 925 to the Alaska Fish and Wildlife Department’s biologists. Her friends call her Lulu. She’s the mother of the four cubs.

There were several families around, Lulu with her four cubs, another mother with three second-year cubs and at least three mothers with twins. This is a second year cub. Still traveling with mom, but getting ready to head out on his own.

One of the mothers chasing down a salmon in the river.

And one of the mom’s with her catch. I double-dog dare you to try to take it away from her.

One of the second-year cubs chases after a salmon.

Lulu enjoying her catch while sitting in the river. I love that the fish is big enough that she has to use her back leg to help hold it up.

And one of the moms in action in the water.

Moving on to Skagway, I spent four days photographing the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad. The have a working steam engine, 2-8-2 no. 73. No. 73 is a three-foot gauge Baldwin, built in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in May 1947. The railroad put on quite a show for us. Here we’re in Pennington, British Columbia, along Lake Bennett.

Still on the WP&Y, this time in Bennett, BC.

The next day, again at Bennett, BC, with Lake Bennett in the background.

This time in Fraser, BC with Teepee Peak and Jack Peak in the background.

And back in Skagway, crossing the East Branch of the Skagway River.

And no. 73 clinging to the Mountain at Inspiration Point in Skagway.

And in a classic shot, we’re back in Skagway with the train coming out of a tunnel and crossing a beautiful trestle.

Heading back to Juneau and my flight home, the ferry passed passed Eldred Rock Lighthouse.

And we had a beautiful moonrise not long before we reached Juneau. There was a great display of the northern lights later that night – so I hear. With an early flight out, I was tucked in bed.

Back in Vermont, I again headed to the coast to hunt for owls.

Leo had just returned for the winter. He still wouldn’t cooperate. I’m not giving up….

Happy New Year! Best wishes for 2026!

brown bear. screech owl, long-eared owl, owl, snowy owl

The Loons Are Moving On

On September 11, 2025 - Herons, Loons, Wildlife Photography

We’re coming to the end of the season with the loon families. It looks like I’ve had my final visit with the Westons and Littleton is likely to leave soon. This may be the last loon post for the season. I’m going to try to get out a couple more times. But, I’m preparing to depart for an adventure next Thursday. One that – hopefully – will get enough photos for a few posts.

I’m still promoting my 2026 Wildlife Calendar, they’re available online at https://www.ianclark.com/product/2026-9-x12-wildlife-calendar-of-ians-photos/554?cs=true&cst=custom or if you’re local, I’ve got a supply in the car.

On to the loons, et al.

Back on the fourth, I dropped in to visit the Middletons. Dad wasn’t to be found (we lost mom in August) and Littleton was on his own. Dad has likely moved to a nearby pond for some rest and is likely to come and go from his pond for a couple more weeks.

I found Littleton in the fog, he greeted me with a nice stretch.

Loon chicks have to learn how to be an adult loon. That requires practice. Here’s Littleton practicing his? wail. The first couple tries in the morning sounded more like a subway car screeching through a sharp curve than a loon. He got better as the morning progressed.

Littleton also made a few attempts to fly. His first of the morning was pathetic – he made it about 10 feet before appearing to trip over something and splashing down. He wasn’t deterred and kept trying throughout the morning.

Littleton took a break from foraging for a quick stretch.

One more stretch….

Littleton moved further away to forage. I drifted through the one sweet spot on the pond that has cell service and took a second to check my messages.

While looking down I heard Littleton start a run to try to fly and looked up. He was headed directly at my boat. And was getting close. Very close! VERY CLOSE! Close enough for me to yell at him to watch out. He finally put the brakes on and skidded to a stop. I cropped some from the top and bottom of this shot, but side to side is the whole image as shot. After a quick stretch, he headed off to find more breakfast. I went off to see who else was still around.

The lily pads have been covered with small bugs for a couple weeks. This morning, the yellowjackets were out, apparently eating the bugs. Does anyone know what they are?

On the eighth, I headed up to visit the Eastons. It was a delightful 38° when I put in with fog coming off the pond. Mom wasn’t to be found. She has a history of scooting early and leaving dad to tend the chicks.

As I started down the pond, I passed Hank heron sitting on a small island. He was fluffed and huddled against the chill. I parked the boat, hoping he’d wait until the sun came over the hill to light the trees behind him. He had other ideas and took a few steps up the island before flying off to do heron things.

Dad and Leaston were at the far end of the pond. Leaston was demanding that dad provide breakfast. He did do a little foraging on his own when dad was slow with the next course.

Leaston waiting patiently for dad to deliver. The rim light shows the very last of Leaston’s down on the top and back of his head.

Loons will often dip their bills in the water and snort – I think they’re blowing their nose. Afterwards, they often give their head a shake – sending droplets flying.

Dad delivered a good-sized crayfish. Loons swallow them tail first – I assume they’re easier to swallow that way and less likely to pinch. This crayfish wasn’t cooperating.

Littleton held the crayfish by the claw and gave it a good thrashing.

Littleton was left holding the claw when he launched the crayfish straight up. He retrieved it and got it down.

And repeated the process with the next crayfish dad delivered.

Littleton should start to try to fly this week. I’m going to try to get back to see how he’s? doing.

Tuesday was a beautiful morning on the hill, with fog hugging the Connecticut below me. I headed off to check on the Westons.

And found their pond in thick fog. But it was chilly and there was a cold breeze, giving me the opportunity to hate the trip. I decided to wait a bit to see if the fog would lift. It started to thin and I headed up the pond to find the loons. And the fog thickened. I did find one loon – briefly – in the fog. This scenario repeated a couple times.

Eventually the fog thinned enough for me to find the loon. There was only one loon on the pond and it wasn’t one of the Westons. This loon was banded, neither of the Westons are. This is probably a loon from a neighboring pond that found a quiet spot to rest for a bit. I was able to get one photo that morning. With that touch of color, it shows the season is winding down.

Yesterday, I went back to visit the Middletons. Again, I found only Littleton on the pond. He? seemed restless, swimming around and back and forth on his pond. He disappeared off into the fog, I went looking to see who else might want to be photographed.

I headed into one of the coves on the pond and heard something sizeable splash into the water. Too big for a turtle, too small for a deer. As I continued on, a soggy racoon appeared out of the brush, chattering at me. I have no idea what the chatter meant, but I’m fairly certain there’s now a curse on my family.

A doe and a pair of fawns were in the brush along the shore, poking their heads out randomly, never long enough for me to photograph. A pair of pileated woodpeckers worked the trees along the shore – staying hidden or in deep shadows.

Eventually, a pair of what I think are first year wood ducks appeared and spent some time foraging.

I heard Littleton make a few practice flights, getting as far as flying most of the way across the small pond. I headed down the pond to another cove that has an easy way to let me ground the boat and get out and duck behind a tree… Littleton was out on the main part of the pond when I pulled in. When I got back in the boat and got turned around, I was looking for him in the pond. It took me a few seconds to realize he’d followed me into the cove. I backed up and grounded the boat to watch.

Littleton came into the cove and set to foraging in the weeds in the shallows, bringing a few up with him when he surfaced.

Not every loon looks good wearing a weed crown, but Littleton has a certain savoir faire that let’s him pull it off. It was getting time for me to head in, so I set sail out of the cove.

Littleton came with me. We can’t know what wild birds are thinking, but the next few minutes made me suspect that Littleton was lonely and wanted some company.

Another shot of Littleton as he followed me.

After hanging out near my boat for several minutes, he headed off along the shore again.

A few minutes later, an adult loon flew relatively low over the pond and made a tight loop overhead over Littleton. Littleton let out a wail – a good, adult sounding wail. The other loon didn’t answer and continued on his way. He was too far away for me to see any bands. Could this have been dad checking on him? Maybe encouraging him to try to fly? Or just a random loon on the way to somewhere else?

Littleton headed back my way and gave a nice flap.

Littleton sat 20-25 feet from my boat for a bit before diving and swimming a couple circles under my boat. I had my GoPro – packed in my backpack. I cursed myself for not having it out and having missed the encounter. But, I didn’t get the camera out. Littleton repeated the dive and circling under the boat. I may have used strong words. And then I got the camera out. The next time Littleton dove, I was ready. And the next….

He surfaced close to the boat, and stayed a couple minutes before swimming downwind across the pond.

Once on the far side of the pond, he turned into the wind and started running…….he’s almost up!

He’s up! He made a strong flight around the pond. He was able to get up to treetop level of the trees around the pond. A good start, but he’s got to get higher to get over the hills around the pond. He’ll be able to do that very soon. Even more impressive than the flight was the smooth landing with a skid to stop.

The adult loons in our neighborhood usually stick around, more or less, on their territory until the last week of September or the first few days of October. I suspect they’ll show up now and then until the end of the month. The chicks usually move on about a week or 10 days after the parents leave. Most of New England’s loons will make their way to the Atlantic for the winter. Most will stay between Cape Cod and Maine. Some will venture down further south. And, there are always a few that are adventurous and can show up anywhere.

I’m going to try to call on the Eastons again before I head out, but this is likely the last of story for this season.

Updates from the Eastons & Middletons

On July 27, 2025 - Herons, Loons, Wildlife Photography

The Eastons and Middletons are doing well. I had a couple chances to visit the Eastons and one opportunity to visit the Middletons.

This will be my last post until mid-August. I’ll be at the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen’s Fair at the Mount Sunapee Resort in Newbury, NH Saturday August 2 through Sunday August 10. The Fair is open 10-5 daily. My 2026 calendars are scheduled to arrive this Wednesday and I’ll have them at the Fair. I’ve also got new note cards and prints, along with some favorites from past years. I’m in booth 718, please come by and take a look. If you can’t make it to the Fair, you can purchase my work through my web site at www.IanClark.com. All the details about the Fair are on the League’s site and you can buy your tickets at a discount online here.

Ian Clark's 2026 wildlife photography wall calendar — My 2026 Wildlife Calendar, with large 9″x12″ full color, 12-month calendar with 13 of my favorite wildlife images.

There are a few more of the images I’ll have at the Fair at the bottom of the post. On to the loons….

On July 22, the Eastons’ pond was a pleasant 48° and foggy when I put the boat in.

My buddy Hank Heron was on a pile of rocks near the boat launch to greet visitors.

The Eastons were having a calm morning, foraging lazily.

With time to sit and contemplate whatever it is loons contemplate.

Baby Easton – Leaston – spent much of the morning on dad’s back.

Sometimes snoozing, sometimes stretching. And occasionally reminding dad that loon chicks really love food.

Mom and dad set to work to deliver breakfast. Dad scored a horned pout larger than Leaston.

And swam by the boat to show off his catch.

Leaston was willing to give it a try. Dad sat by watching closely, ready to grab the fish if it slipped away.

Leaston dropped the fish, both mom and dad were ready to recover it. Mom did and gave it back to Leaston.

Leaston gave it another try before dropping it again.

Dad had been at the ready and quickly recaptured the fish. He handed it back to Leaston. Who promptly dropped it again.

Dad figured out that meals have to be smaller than the chick and ate the fish himself.

The parents went back to finding chick-sized meals and that worked much better.

With both parents underwater, Leaston reacted to a threat I couldn’t see. Loon chicks’ defense is to flatten out on the water to make it hard to see them.

The threat soon appeared – an intruding loon coming in for a landing. The last two times I visited, there had been fairly intense skirmishes with an intruder before the intruder was forced off the pond.

In the previous skirmishes, dad had gone to fight off the intruder. Studies of banded birds suggest that most territorial fights are between loons of the same sex. This time mom went out to challenge the intruder. A different intruder? Mom was closer to the intruder when he landed and dad was closer to the chick. Maybe they were just being practical and let the closest loon handle it. Either way, there was a brief period of displaying before the intruder departed.

Mom took a victory stretch when the intruder was gone, then headed back to join the family.

As the chicks grow, you can often see that they’re watching their parents and copying the parent’s behavior – good practice for how to be an adult loon. Here dad and Leaston share a leg stretch.

Or maybe they were just waving goodbye as I gave them best wishes and headed for home.

The next morning dawned with clear skies above home, with fog down in the Valley. I headed down to visit the Middletons, hoping the fog would lift.

No such luck. The fog stayed thick.

The Middletons spent about half an hour foraging in their favorite breakfast cove. Without appearing to catch anything. At least nothing they surfaced with. The parents seemed to get agitated at the lack of success. When loons are foraging, they usually dive and surface gracefully, not making much of a splash. When they’re agitated as when there’s an intruder, they dive more aggressively with large splashes. This morning as they foraged, they started kicking up large splashes.

Mrs. Middleton swam close by my boat. I could see her coming and had a chance to get my GoPro in place. The bubbling sound is air bubbling out of my cheap selfie stick.

The fog lifted enough that dragonflies came out to forage. And the kingbirds came out to hunt the dragonflies.

I gave up and headed home. Along the way back to the boat launch, I passed a very optimistic turtle trying to bask. All those black spots on the water are water bugs.

Yesterday morning, my wife joined me as we headed back to check on the Eastons.

The Loon Preservation Committee had invited me to accompany them to band Mrs. Easton on Thursday evening. I couldn’t make it and was curious to see if they’d been successful catching and banding her.

Hank Heron was again awaiting sunup on some rocks where the sun would first hit the pond. We spooked him and he flew off to a spot along the shore.

It took a little while to locate the loons at the far end of the pond through the fog. Dad gave their location away by stretching.

Just after stretching, dad dove. I assumed he’d gone downstairs to find some breakfast. But soon there was fast moving wake headed my way. Dad was just under the surface and making good time.

He surfaced just behind me, keeping low to stalk something. He dove again and again surfaced keeping low. I couldn’t see what he was after.

After dad dove again, Hank squawked and came flying down the pond. Dad had come up in the shallows at his feet, encouraging him to move along. This is the first time I’ve seen loons go after a heron. I’ve occasionally wondered how they tolerate herons nearby when the chicks are young.

Hank eventually settled on the sunny side of the pond.

And set about getting some breakfast. The loons didn’t bother him again while we were there.

We caught up with the loon family. Mom soon showed us she is indeed wearing some LPC bling.

The Loon Preservation Committee manages to band something like 30 loons every summer. With a population of roughly 750 loons in New Hampshire, they’re getting a sizeable portion of the population banded. That lets them study things like how many of the loon pairs stay together year after year, how old the loons are when they’re observed doing things like nesting. There’s lots to be learned from LPC’s work.

Mom delivering a crayfish for breakfast as dad looks on.

Mom gave a nice stretch as we headed out.

And a few more of the images I’ll be exhibiting at the League Fair:

Wing Low, Sweet Chariot This is an intruder that has shown up regularly on the Middleton’s pond this year. I suspect she’s the female that was keeping company with Mr. Middleton early in the year before Mrs. M returned. Mrs. M has just chased this loon off the pond and this loon is almost airborne.

Seen But Not Herd

A pair of Guernsey cows greet visitors to their pasture.

First Light at Portland Head The first light of dawn breaks over the Portland Head Light on Cape Elizabeth, ME. The light is on the headland at the entrance to Portland Harbor in Casco Bay in the Gulf of Maine. The light was commissioned by George Washington and was completed and put in service in 1791 making it Maine’s Oldest lighthouse.

A Tranquil Morning

A favorite from past years. This is dad Easton resting with the chicks as the sun rises over their pond. This image is offered in a limited edition of 12 prints.

There Are No Owls Here

A great gray owl shows off his camouflage against a tree. Great grays are rare visitors to New England, this one visited Newbury, VT in 2018.

Sunrise at Dead Creek There’s a nice reflection on a poll in Dead Creek as the sun rises in Addison, VT

I’ll have lots more images along at the fair, including lots of loons. Come have a look.

birds, herons, loons, new hampshire wildlife

The Eastons Have a Chick, Littleton Getting Big

On July 18, 2025 - Herons, Loons, Wildlife Photography

I made it up to visit the Eastons Tuesday morning and met their chick. Wednesday found me back visiting them and yesterday I dropped in on the Middletons.

The League of New Hampshire Craftsmen’s Fair is coming up quickly. We’ll be at the Mount Sunapee Resort in Newbury, NH from Saturday August 2 to Sunday August 10. I’m in tent seven with note cards, my 2026 calendar and lots of prints. I’m busy printing new images including loons, herons, owls, a lighthouse and more. Stop by and have a look.

Owl Be Looking at You – one of the new images I’ll be exhibiting at the Fair.

The Eastons got off to a late start this spring. The Middletons did too. I wonder if all the rain delayed their plans? The Eastons hatched their chicks the third weekend in June for several years. Last year, they lost their first clutch of eggs, the second clutch didn’t hatch until the third week of July. This year they laid two eggs, one didn’t hatch.

When I arrived, mom was foraging near the boat launch. She disappeared while I was unloading the boat.

Paddling down the pond, I found mom had retreated to the far end. Dad was floating nearby. Mom greeted me with a stretch. I couldn’t see any sign of chicks.

Mom spent some time preening before stretching again.

Shortly after that, she went over to join dad. And a chick appeared on dad’s back. If I named baby Middleton ‘Littleton,’ should baby Easton be ‘Leaston?’ Yes, my mind does wander when I’m sitting in the boat.

Mom dove to find breakfast, Leaston settled in to wait. The male in this pair is banded and has a growth under his bill allowing me to tell them apart.

Ah fish! What a great breakfast.

Just a reminder, I’m using a 600mm lens and sitting well back to avoid bothering the loons. This image is heavily cropped.

After a couple helpings, Leaston settled in for a nap.

But, more breakfast is always a reason to get back up. This serving looks like a giant water bug, aka ‘toe-biter.’ Dad wanted his own breakfast and turned Leaston over to mom and headed out.

Dad took time for a quick stretch before heading off.

Leaston climbed aboard mom and tucked in.

Dad had a quick breakfast and came back to reclaim Leaston. With this pair of loons, dad is the more attentive parent. If there’s only one parent with the chick(s) when I arrive on the pond, it is almost always dad. If they’re both feeding the chicks, mom will often scoot before the chicks are full and dad finishes the meal.

Leaston was keeping an eye on things. Probably trying to figure out what role I played in this adventure.

Even at a just a couple days old, the chicks are on the lookout from threats in any direction – including overhead.

And another shot of the chick riding just because he’s so darned cute.

The wind picked up and I had things to get done so I headed in for the day.

Wednesday morning I headed back up to the pond. I hadn’t seen the great blue herons that usually summer on the pond yet this season. It was a nice surprise to find Hank out in the fog. The herons are smart enough to know where the sun will first hit the pond. Overnight the temperature dropped to a very pleasant low-60s. Hank was stationed to warm in the first sunlight. I wanted another angle for my photo and tried to maneuver to the right. Along the shore, a beaver and I were both startled to find each other so close. The beaver set to an impressive bout of tail slapping and Hank disappeared down the pond.

In low light with a little fog and the breeze ruffling the water, loons floating quietly can be hard to spot at a distance. Mom let me know where she was when she stretched.

Mom was tending the chick. The chick wanted to come aboard and gave a mighty flap of his? wings.

It took swimming around to mom’s port side to find the handle to climb aboard.

Once aboard, he made himself comfortable.

Dad was staying away longer than usual, he was back up the pond somewhere near the boat launch. I figured I’d see him on my way out.

As headed in, I saw what I thought was dad at a distance. He was low in the water – stalking something. I had only a brief glimpse before he dove. A few seconds later, there was a loon in another direction. It seemed like he’d moved very quickly – likely too quickly. I looked around where I’d seen the low riding loon. While I was looking behind me, a ruckus broke out in front of me!

Dad was up out of the water doing the penguin dance in front of an intruder! The intruder went wing rowing away. They repeated that a couple of times.

The intruder eventually made a wing rowing run that brought him close to the boat and I was able to get a series of photos. I love the patterns in the water coming off his right wing.

Another shot of the intruder wing rowing past my boat.

A closer shot – check out the patterns in the water again.

And putting on the brakes… the intruder has dipped both wings deeper into the water to slow down.

The intruder hid behind my boat for a few moments before diving. Dad dove too and I lost track of both of them. Over the next half hour, I got brief glimpses of both surfacing – staying low – stalking each other. They hadn’t come to any conclusion by the time I had to leave.

Yesterday’s forecast was for thunderstorms at dawn. When I got up and looked out, we had clear skies with some fog down in the valley. I headed out to call on the Middletons. I found the family foraging in their favorite breakfast cove well before sunup.

Mom dove. I thought she was just foraging. She popped up outside the cove. That was a bit unusual.

Shortly after, Littleton flattened out – a chick’s defense against threats.

Looking up, I saw an intruder coming in for a landing. Mom and dad went out to challenge her. I’m assuming this is the same female that was keeping company with Mr. Middleton early in the season. Assuming it is her, she has come in to challenge for the territory each time I’ve visited. The Middletons – the two on the right – circled her and stared her down.

The intruder retreated, wing rowing away down the pond. The Middletons followed, swimming after her.

Before the Middletons caught up with her, she departed.

Dad took time for a celebratory stretch as the intruder circled the pond one last time calling as she went. Both of the resident loons are banded, allowing me to tell who is who.

Both Middletons headed back to catch up with Littleton, who swam out of the cove to greet them.

Dad decided first breakfast was over and it was time for a nap. Littleton went along with the plan.

But, Littleton soon decided he had other priorities. He gently nudged dad to remind him it was time for second breakfast.

A gentle nudge wasn’t sufficient to get dad moving. Littleton upped his game and nipped dad’s neck.

Dad woke up and explained that he’d provide breakfast when he was good and ready. Then tucked back in to nap.

But Littleton was insistent, as loon chicks are. He nudged and pushed dad for a bit. Dad stayed tucked in, and Littleton pushed him in circles for a bit.

Littleton circled around to see if pushing on dad’s other side would get some action.

Littleton eventually took the hint and wanted to climb aboard. He’s too big these days, he only got his head under dad’s wing.

Dad eventually gave in and headed off to round up mom to get more breakfast. Littleton tucked his head under dad’s other wing and let dad tow him along.

Mom stretched as they approached. The parents set to rounding up some breakfast.

The clouds were moving in and the wind came up. I headed home to get to work.

birds, loon chicks, loons

Out and About in the Boat

On April 26, 2025 - Game Birds, Herons, Loons, Wildlife Photography

I’ve been able to get out to visit the Middletons and Westons a couple times in the past couple weeks. Spring is in full swing on the ponds, let’s see who else is around.

Every spring, brings new subscribers, welcome. I’ve been following loons on three ponds since 2012. My blog has gotten popular enough that I’ve learned to be vague about the loons’ homes to protect them. There’s a pond to my west that hosts the Weston family, a pond to my east that hosts the Eastons and the pond in the middle hosts the Middletons. I’m photographing from a kayak, using Canon gear, with lenses from 400mm to 800mm.

On Saturday, May 3, at 1:00 pm, I’ll be at the Rockingham, VT, Public Library to give my slideshow ‘An Uncommon Look at the Common Loon.’ Free and everyone welcome. The details are on the Library’s site: https://rockinghamlibrary.org/northern-loon/.

On to the photos.

Monday April 14 was a chilly 27° when I put the boat in to visit the Middletons. One of them was swimming leisurely on the east end of the pond when I put in. I headed the other way and never caught up with that loon again.

The second loon on the pond was unimpressed that I’d come to visit and spent most of the morning sleeping in the sunshine. There are several geese families on the pond – a couple already on their nests. They’re often good entertainment as they chase each other around but they were all on their best behavior and I skipped photographing them.

The highlights of the pond residents that morning were a pair of great blue herons. They were foraging in the sunshine on the west side of the pond, allowing me to park the boat in the sun as well. I could soon feel my fingers again.

And finding the one sunny spot in this end of the reeds.

On the 18th, I was on the Westons’ pond at dawn – a chilly 23° had me breaking a skim of ice to get out from the boat launch.

The Westons spent a quiet morning, snoozing, foraging, preening and even investigating some real estate for their nest. Here’s one stretching just after dawn.

There were lots of ducks – mallards, woodies, a few ring-necks and lots of mergansers. Here’s a male wood duck just out looking pretty.

There are many goose families on the pond. Canada geese get along well with each other most of the year, but come mating season, all bets are off. Here’s one arriving on the pond.

Where he? soon discovered he wasn’t at all welcome….

After a brief kerfuffle, he decided that being somewhere else would be better.

Here’s a goose that has spotted something on the pond that must go. This goose swam up and down the shore in this aggressive posture. I never figured out what he was bothered by.

The loons woke from a nap, preened for a time and both gave nice wing stretches just a few seconds apart.

And the second one…. I had to head out for the day.

Dawn on the 21st found me back on the Westons’ pond, this time it was pleasantly fully 35°.

Mr. Weston was in the process of escorting an interloper from the pond as I set out. The intruder left without much encouragement. Mr. Weston yodeled at him as he circled the pond on his way out. Only male loons yodel, giving us a clue as to who is who.

Here’s the intruder departing. The pond has steep hills on all sides, departing loons have to circle a couple times to gain enough altitude to clear them.

Mr. Weston swam by to check me out. He decided I could stay.

The male red-winged blackbirds are out staking out territory. They perch above a good spot and sing and display the red patches on their wings to announce their claim.

I was back to visit the Middletons on the 23rd. There was a heat wave and it was 39° when I put in. The Middletons were sleeping in again.

I heard an American bittern singing in the reeds and headed over to see if I could spot him. He made a short flight as I approached, landing behind some brush. But, I knew where he was down to a couple dozen square feet. When I came around the brush, I spent several minutes looking for him before seeing him in plain sight in front of the reeds. But, with a branch interfering with the shot. I took my eyes off him for 15 or 20 seconds while I moved the boat. When I looked again, I was sure he’d flown when I wasn’t looking. After about 10 minutes searching, I found him – when he took off from the same spot he’d been standing the whole time.

The geese weren’t sleeping in. They were coming and going – and squabbling throughout the morning. Here’s a pair inbound.

Where the met a frosty reception as they landed.

Before the newcomers beat a hasty retreat.

The loons woke from their nap, here’s on yawning.

The Loon Preservation Committee banded the pair of adult loons on this pond last summer. I was curious to see if the same pair returned. I watched and waited while they preened to see if I could spot the bands.

Mr. Middleton proudly showed me his LPC bling. From behavior, I suspect this male has been on the pond since I started watching in 2012.

And a bit of a surprise when the second loon raised an unbanded leg. We have a new female on the pond this year. I’m curious to see if last year’s female is spotted on another pond this season.

Loons seem to be very practical about mating. If a pair is successful hatching chicks one year, they’re likely to pair up again the next year. And they often choose the same nest site. If they’re unsuccessful, they’re likely to change partners the next year.

Reporting banded birds is a great way to help the study of the population. If you see a banded loon, the conservationists would love to know. Loons get four bands of different colors, you need to see all four to identify the individual. One of the bands will be silver with a unique number registered with the US Geological Survey. If the bird is banded as an adult, the USGS tag goes on the right leg. If they’re banded in their first year, this band goes on the left leg. You won’t be able to read the number unless you’re very close to the bird, and the birds disapprove of that.

Since the number is next to impossible to read, the birds get three more bands of various colors, often with a stripe or shape in a contrasting color. This let’s you ID the bird at a distance to avoid bothering them.

IF you can get photos of all four bands – with along lens and not disturbing the birds – the researchers love to be able to confirm the bands.

On the 26th, I headed back to visit the Westons.

The Westons’ pond hosts two beaver families. This time of year, there are lots of young beavers around the pond. The kits are born in the spring and spend their first year with the family, wintering with them into their second year. In their second year, they head out to find their own stream that needs to become a pond. There looked to be two year’s worth of kits as well as adults out and about. The second year kits look like small adults, this year’s kits are about the size of Guinea pigs – dragging a tail that’s about as big as their body. This looks like a second year kit enjoying a nice breakfast of stick.

This beaver was unconcerned about me. I stopped and photographed him? for several minutes without disturbing him. He had his butt towards me, not the best angle for photos. I gave up and moved on. After a bit, I noticed he’d turned around and went back to get more photos. He chewed contentedly for a bit before heading out. He stashed the tasty stick behind a some rocks. I looked down at my camera gear and it was only as I was getting wet from the splash that I realized he’d surfaced four or five feet from my boat and gave a good tail slap.

While I waited for the beaver to turn around, I found a small flock of common mergansers. The brush and fog made for a nice shot.

The loons had been sleeping in for a bit. Here’s a stretch from one of them as they got up to start their day.

The male red-winged blackbirds were out doing their thing. The males arrive back in the breeding territory well before the females, something like a 10 days to two weeks or more before. This morning was the first time I saw a female, just one, for the year.

Sometimes the birds just don’t cooperate. This male red-winged was perched on top of that reed – right up until I lifted the camera when he exited stage left.

The swamp sparrows are claiming their territories as well.

I found a nice surprise further up the pond – a pie-billed grebe out in the open. They’re common in the area, but are very shy and hard to find in a spot they can be photographed. This cute little bird made a circuit around the pond, staying just on the very edge of my lens’ range.

Here’s a heavily cropped shot of the same bird.

Along the way, I found a pair of black-capped chickadees working to improve a nest hole in a dead tree.

And we’ll close with an artsy shot of some of the reeds along the pond’s edge.

birding, birds, new hampshire wildlife, vermont wildlife

Looking Back at the Herons

On November 1, 2024 - Herons, Wildlife Photography

Great blue herons are pretty common around the Upper Valley. All three of the loons’ ponds host great blues each year. Over the years, I’ve gotten a number of good shots of them. I’m pondering a ‘Heronscapes’ exhibit and have been digging through the archives to see what I’ve got. Let’s take a look.

The Hartland, VT, Public Library will host me to present my slideshow, An Uncommon Look at the Common Loon, this Wednesday, November 6 at 6 p.m. Free and everyone welcome. My print exhibit of loons is hanging in the Library through the end of November.

And my 2025 calendar is available:

The calendars are large – 9″x12″ with 13 of my favorite wildlife images. They’re $25 and $3 shipping per order. You can get one on my site: https://www.ianclark.com/.

On to the herons.

Most of the time, we spot great blue herons foraging along the shore of a river or pond. They can stand incredibly still before striking with lighting speed. They don’t seem fussy about prey. They’ll grab fish, crayfish, frogs, small birds and mammals. After we take the hay in our field, we get a pair of herons that show up to hunt the mice and voles. This heron has nabbed a crayfish.

Foraging in shallow water on the Weston’s Pond.

Flying past the reeds on the Easton’s Pond.

Herons will perch in trees overlooking the water. This probably gives protection from many of their predators.

Herons are smart enough to know where the sun will first hit their territory in the morning. On chilly mornings, they’re often perched to catch the earliest light.

Herons nest in rookeries, with nests high in trees. Most of the nests in this rookery were 25-30 feet above the ground. I’ve seen reports that they’ll build as high as 100 feet high.

A clutch is usually between three and six eggs. They grow into funny looking chicks. I suspect they were designed by Jim Henson.

Foraging in the early morning light on the Eastons’ Pond. I often joke that the herons on the Eastons’ Pond are skittish, but pose nicely twice a year. This year they outdid themselves, giving me extra opportunities.

Here’s one of the herons on the Eastons’ Pond ignoring the early morning light. But, this was July 2 and we weren’t chilly.

Another early morning shot on the Eastons’ Pond.

Wading in shallow water as the sun rises.

This morning wasn’t an easy one for our heron to find breakfast. He? moved around to several spots before I saw him catch a meal.

Many of my favorite shots are actually from before sun up. I love the muted light and fog.

I almost passed on this shot. I was much closer to the heron when I noticed him. I turned the kayak around and headed back up pond to get far enough back for some scenery. Fortunately, the bird waited while I moved and sat waiting for the water to quiet again.

One of our herons stretching as the sun begins to warm the pond.

Waiting for the sun on a chilly October morning.

And my favorite heron shot from this year.

birds, great blue heron, herons

A Visit With The Loons, Chicks Are 22 & 23 Days Old, July 11, 2021

On July 11, 2021 - Herons, Loons, Raptors, Wildlife Photography

I spent the morning visiting the loon family with two chicks in the Upper Valley area. Both chicks appear to be doing well, both are growing rapidly, are active and feeding eagerly.

The loons aren’t the only inhabitants of their pond. This great blue heron was out and about a little before sun up.