Posts in Category: Loons

Updates and photos as Ian follows the local loon families

Updates on the Loons, Swallows & Foxes

On June 15, 2025 - Foxes, Loons, Tree Swallow Cam, Wildlife Photography

Happy Nature Photography Day! Seems like a good time for an update.

A couple days ago, the tree swallows nesting in the box on the deck declared us persona non grata and have been defending the yard. This morning, they’ve been chattering away more than usual and both parents are popping in and out of the box regularly. Just a few minutes ago, I got the first glimpse of the chicks:

I stopped in to see the Middletons on the fifth. I found only one loon on the pond at daybreak. I went looking to see if the second was sitting on the nest. I looked in in the places they’ve nested before, without finding a nest.

I did find one of the herons foraging in the brush in a cove.

When I came out of the cove, I found two loons wing rowing across the pond. It turned out that Mrs. Middleton was chasing an unbanded loon from the pond. Here’s the intruder departing the pond.

A little more looking and I found Mr. Middleton sitting on a nest in a new spot, well hidden by the reeds. I put the Loon Preservation Committee’s sign out to warn people away from the nest.

Last Sunday, I visited the Westons. The forecast called for a sunny morning. It was clear here on the hill when I woke. The Weston’s pond was socked in with fog. We were at the beginning of the window where the chicks might hatch.

The fog was thick enough to make it hard to tell what was going on around the pond. I headed down to the entrance of the cove where the Weston’s nest.

Both loons were near the nest – I couldn’t see them through the fog, but they were both wailing. Soon, four otters appeared from the direction of the nest. Otters are a real threat to chicks and eggs and I’ve seen a video of one attacking an adult loon on a nesting platform. One of the otters came over to have a look at me.

One of the parents appeared and gave a foggy morning stretch.

The off-duty parent headed out of the cove and some time later reappeared – carrying a fingerling. They must have a chick!

I moved to let me see the nest. There was a chick taking one of its first swims – under close supervision. There was a still a second egg in the nest. Friends told me the second chick hatched later Sunday. I had to head out before the fog lifted.

On Wednesday, I had a chance to visit the fox den again. The last two trips, I’ve seen only one kit at a time, I’m not sure if they’re taking turns out of the den or if we’ve lost the second kit.

The kit that was out and about wasn’t fooled by my being in the blind and spent some time watching me.

And paying attention to anything that made noise in the brush.

Which proved to be a tiring business. Look at that tongue, maybe I should do a Tongue Out Tuesday post.

Friday morning, I headed up to see the Eastons. They’re behind schedule. Their chicks usually hatch the third weekend in June, but they hadn’t laid their eggs by my last visit.

There was a family of geese with six goslings foraging in the shallow water.

I heard a commotion – lots of splashing and then a wail. The Eastons were rousting an intruder. After a little more kerfuffle, the intruder departed.

On my previous visits, I hadn’t been able to see any loon legs, so I wasn’t sure if Mr. Easton had returned. This time, I got a good look at both legs, this is the same male that’s been here for at least five years.

After preening a bit, he gave a good stretch and went to join Mrs. Easton in real estate hunting.

They checked out last year’s nesting site and discussed it at length. Before I left the pond, I caught them mating on the site, looks like they just got a delayed start this year.

Another family of geese stood guard by the boat launch as I headed out.

Looks like more rain the start of this week, I’ll be back out when we get a decent morning.

bird videos, foxes, loons, nest cam, tree swallows

Update on the Loons and Some Cute Fox Kits

On May 31, 2025 - Foxes, Loons, Photography, Wildlife Photography

Memorial Day, May 26, looked promising when I got up to check the weather at 3:30. The dogs weren’t convinced and slept in. Lee & I set out to see if the road to the Easton’s pond was passable. This was my first visit to see them this year.

The road was passable, but the fog had settled over the pond and there was a chilly breeze. There was a pair of loons traveling together on the pond. Mr. Easton is banded, I couldn’t get a good look to see if he’s returned. A quick check of the nest site from the last several years found no sign of activity. Fortunately, it remains well above high water level. We headed out early without any photos.

By this time last few years, the Eastons had been sitting on the nest by now. Assuming they don’t have a nest I didn’t find, they’re at least a week behind the previous years’ schedule.

Tuesday morning I visited the Middletons. The pair of loons on the pond were banded last summer by the Loon Preservation Committee. On my earlier visits this year, Mr. Middleton was traveling with an unbanded loon.

After a quick search, I found the pair of loons just finishing up making little loons, then they headed out to settle in for a long nap.

While I waited for the loons to wake up, I checked around to see who else was about. There was a handful of spotted sandpipers out foraging in the marsh.

Loons usually take fairly brief – 15 or 20 minute naps. This morning they extended that to about 45 minutes, giving me time to get some shots through the fog. One has woken up and is flexing his? neck.

Eventually, they both woke up and one gave a nice wing stretch in the fog.

They set sail to explore the real estate options for their nest.

Mrs. made her case for reusing last year’s nest site again. Mr. tried to explain that it was under a couple inches of water and not really feasible.

She wasn’t buying that for a second. She continued to sit and they discussed it with low hoots.

Mr. Middleton ended the discussion by simply swimming away.

Mrs. abandoned her effort to convince him and swam off the nest site. As she passed my boat, she stretch her leg – giving me a good look at the bands she wears. The rightful Mrs. Middleton is back! This is the female that LPC banded last year. She must have chased the other female from the pond.

The Middletons are also at least a week behind previous years’ schedule for laying their eggs.

She gave a nice wing stretch before heading off.

All was not well, an intruder appeared on the pond. The Middletons went to face off with the intruder. They were still circling and diving aggressively some 45 minutes later.

Wednesday morning found me visiting the Westons. When I arrived, I found one loon sitting on the nest – well above water – and one resting nearby. At first I assumed the loon in the water had shown up to take a turn on the nest.

An immature bald eagle appeared low over the marsh – escorted by a small flock of grackles, kingbirds and red-winged blackbirds. The eagle perched in the tree with the smaller birds taking turns watching him. The grackles and kingbirds were mostly content to sit in the tree and call. The kingbirds favored more direct action, swooping in to try to hit the eagle in the back of the head. There remained a stalemate all morning with the eagle not retreating. The loon in the water may have been standing by to defend the nest.

A representative of the local beaver colony swam by to explain to me I wasn’t welcome.

I’d been waiting for the sun to get high enough to light the nest to get a photo. When it was lit, I got this shot and headed home.

Friends in Newbury called to tell me they have fox kits and were kind enough to let me set up my blind to watch. While setting up the blind, I was watched by two kits sitting near their den.

Monday I was able to sit in the blind for a time. The fox kits not only didn’t seem bothered that I was there – they’d sat and watched me walk in and hide – but seemed almost bored by me.

The den is on the edge of a planted field. Workers made a noise in the field that alerted this kit.

Soon enough, the kit relaxed and went back to practicing to be cute.

Tuesday I returned to watch the kits again.

The were snoozing near the den. Soon that became too strenuous and they retreated back in the den for a longer nap. I gave up before they reappeared. The highlight of my time was what was either a phoebe or a kingbird chased some insect into the blind, nabbed it and quickly departed.

Thursday I tried again with the kits.

This time, both kits were out and wrestling in front of the den.

I’d arrived just in time for the end of wrestling. The kits had a good look around outside the den before disappearing back inside.

Friday morning’s forecast didn’t look promising when I went to bed. When I got up, the forecast had improved to showing a couple hours of ‘mostly cloudy.’ I decided to give the kits another try. Which was the correct choice as the low clouds cleared and it was soon sunny enough to heat the blind enough to slowly roast me. An added benefit was what seemed like the entire population of mosquitoes and ticks had taken shelter in there with me. The phoebe or kingbird made a reappearance, zooming into the blind, around my head and back out in less time than it takes to write about it. No idea if he’d nabbed a meal.

Only one kit was on duty Friday. She came out of the den to nap in the sunshine.

She finished her nap with a stretch and a big yawn.

She dug some improvements on the spot she likes to nap.

Before settling back in to test it out with another nap.

Fox kits are like cats in that you can tell the temperature from the length of a sleeping kit.

After a time, she got curious and explored in the brush near the den.

Then she settled back in before I had to head out.

The cameras in our bluebird boxes are working again, albeit with some kinks. Bluebirds explored the south box for a time and gave up. A few days later I noticed them around the north box and fiddled with the camera to get up and running. They seemed to have claimed the box. There’s third box nearby that has been claimed by wrens. The wrens were successful at driving the bluebirds out. A pair of tree swallows has now claimed the bluebird box and are being very vigilant about the wrens. The wrens seem much less aggressive towards the swallows. Bluebirds would be a direct competitor for food, both bluebirds and wrens foraging along the grass. Swallows hunt in the air. Is that enough of a difference for the wrens to accept swallows as neighbors?

I’ll get around to editing some of the footage of the story so far and start to follow the swallows’ progress with some posts soon.

Want to learn to take your own wildlife photos? I’ll be speaking to the Upper Valley Camera Club at the AVA Gallery, 11 Bank Street, Lebanon, NH next Tuesday, June 10 at 6:30 pm. The talk is aimed at folks with a 35mm camera with interchangeable lenses. Hopefully, I’ll have lots of useful tips. Free and everyone welcome, but they request you register beforehand at
https://avagallery.org/event/june-monthly-meeting/.

birding, birds, new hampshire wildlife, vermont wildlife

The Rain Finally Let Up

On May 14, 2025 - Loons, Wildlife Photography

After a long stretch of windy, rainy days, I was able to get the boat out yesterday to see who’s about on the ponds. I headed up to visit the Westons Tuesday and the Middletons today.

I’ve been playing with a GoPro waterproof video camera and caught this cute scene:

The Westons’ pond has a lot of marsh with very clear, shallow water. The turtles have awakened for the season. First there were lots of painted turtles around. I found several huddles and a few parades – a couple to several turtles following each other underwater. My guess is the leader is a cute lady turtle. The snapping turtles seem to take longer to wake in the spring. Perhaps it just takes longer for the longer turtles to warm? One of my goals for the camera is to get some footage of the snappers underwater.

The Weston’s pond was downright balmy when I arrived, 43° with a light breeze. Any wind ruffles the water, you’ll notice lots of my shots take advantage of the flat water for the reflections. And, working with a long lens in a kayak, even a gentle breeze makes it difficult to manage.

Paddling down the sunny side of the pond, I heard lots of warblers. They were all feeding high in the trees, well away from photographers. Eastern kingbirds are back along with Baltimore orioles. Both were occupied where I could see but not photograph them. The loons seemed to be exploring real estate for their nest. I amused myself taking photos of the red-winged blackbirds. The males return earlier than the females to scout a territory. The females are back in force now and the males are busy trying to get their attention.

When a pretty female flew through the marsh, several males would perch in the clear and sing and display.

When waiting for a lady to visit, they practiced looking good.

Or snacking. This bird dug deep into a cattail.

And came up with what looks like a spider.

Then off to the next perch to be ready for the ladies again.

A closer look found that the Westons have chosen their nest site and there was a loon already sitting on it. The last few years, the Westons have been the first to nest by a week or 10 days. Looks like they’re ahead again.

Shift change came for nesting duty and the loons took to the main part of their pond to breakfast together. An intruding loon arrived on the pond and I snuck a look at the nest – with a 600mm lens staying well back. They’ve got an egg!

In a short while, the intruder was sent packing and the loons returned to their cove and one climbed onto the nest. The sun was well up and the wind picked up, I retreated to head home.

This morning, I headed out to visit the Middletons. The forecasted clouds weren’t to be found, the pond was dead still and it was warm enough to feel my fingers as I headed out before dawn.

As I paddled out from the boat launch, an intruding loon arrived on the pond. The Middletons went to evict him(?).

When there’s a territory dispute on the pond, it is hard to tell the players. They’re all wearing the same colors and lots of the action is underwater. I quickly lose track of who is who. Here’s someone trying to impress the others that he or she is too big and tough to be messed with. While this was going on, a fourth loon arrived on the pond.

The first stage of a territory dispute is circling and sizing each other up. I’m convinced that the position of their heads is communicating something – probably just as well for the blog that I can’t translate it.

Here’s what I think is Mr. Middleton winding up to yodel at the intruders. Only males yodel and it is a sign of aggression and that the dispute is escalating.

After a lot of circling and some aggressive dives someone went wing rowing down the pond away from the group. (Someone asked at one of my talks how you can tell if a dive is aggressive. The best answer is the same way you can tell your wife’s mood by the way she closes a door.)

Shortly afterwards, the wing-rowing loon departed the pond. The remaining challenger moved off away from the Middletons who went to breakfast at the other end of the pond.

Peace wasn’t to last too long. 30 or 40 minutes later, a loon landed on the pond. Maybe the same one that had retreated, but no way to tell. Here’s one of the Middletons with a full head of steam – look at the wake he’s? pushing as he heads out to meet the intruder. There was a brief bit of circling and a few dives before I lost track of all three loons. The Middletons appeared far from the action after a time. The intruder must have flown off without my seeing.

Now the Middletons had another chance for breakfast and headed to the cove where they like to find it.

There was still one intruder on the pond – one of the ones that arrived around dawn. After the Middletons foraged a bit, they returned to the main pond. The intruder was sticking close to the shore, well away from them. They didn’t seem concerned with the intruder, who eventually left without a kerfuffle.

With the Middletons settling in for a nap, I went to see who else out out. This spotted sandpiper flew in for a cameo, landing briefly on this log.

With the sun out and rapidly warming temps, the painted turtles were climbing out on every rock and log they could find to bask.

This guy kept a close eye on my as I went by, but seemed to comfortable to give up his spot.

And just when I thought I had my ducks in a row….. four mallard drakes were swimming along the edge of the reeds. By the time the camera came up, one had other ideas.

It was getting to be time to head out, so I took the boat back to the launch. As I was putting the kayak straps on the car, I looked up and saw a veery sitting on a branch just about over the other side of the car. He? was unbothered by me, and flew down to forage on the ground next to the car while I packed up.

He even posed nicely in the sunlight for me – a treat since they usually stay under cover in the woods.

I’m watching the weather for tomorrow morning. One app says rain, the other says no….

birds, common loons, loons, new hampshire wildlife, vermont wildlife

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

We Say Goodbye to the Loons

On October 9, 2024 - Loons, Wildlife Photography

Loon season in the Upper Valley is coming to a close. The Middletons and Westons decamped about two weeks ago. The Easton chicks hatched later, they’re still on their pond with mom. For now.

I’m packing up for the Stowe Foliage Arts Festival this weekend, October 11-13. I’ll have note cards, my 2025 wildlife calendar and prints big and small. Come on out and have a look. All the details about the Festival here: https://stoweartsfest.com/.

On November 6, I’ll be a the Hartland, VT, Public Library at 6 pm. I’ll also have a print exhibit of some of my favorite loon photos hanging in the Hartland Library during November.

Sunday (10/6), I headed up to visit with the Eastons. Fall has arrived in force – it was 37° and foggy when I launched.

I found one of the great blue herons before I found the loons. The heron circled this little island as he walked, constantly putting the brush between us. While I was waiting for enough light for the shot and him to get into position, I heard – but couldn’t see -one of the loon chicks pass me in the fog.

As the fog lifted, the loons came into view. The chicks have grown into their winter plumage. One was foraging on his? own, the other was pestering mom for food.

Taking a break from chasing mom to stretch.

The chicks together. I’ve seen the behavior of the one on the right several times. I’m not sure exactly what they’re doing. My guess is clearing their throat.

After the wind came up, both chicks gave a go at flying. They both took short runs where they were still unable to get their bellies out of the water.

Another attempt to fly. The chicks took a only of couple runs. I stayed the morning hoping to see more. As I left the pond, I realized I’d never been out on their pond at noon before.

I returned to the pond yesterday (Tuesday 10/8) . Monday’s rain finished the color, most of the trees were bare. One of the herons was huddled against the cold on his island. The herons seem to know where the sun will hit the pond first. On chilly mornings, they’ll be in position to be in the sun as it rises.

After the fog lifted, mom took off. She circled the pond several times before heading over the hills. Any time now, she’ll leave for the fall. The chicks will follow several days later. Shortly after she left, the chicks got to work on their flying lessons. Here’s a good run – technically he’s airborne. He didn’t make it up – this time.

This wasn’t the time. He settled back on the water and stretched.

Let’s try this again…. The chick taxied downwind and tried another run.

Looking good! Feet are clear of the water, there’s air under him!

He’s up! He flew for something like a third of a mile. He made a nice turn and returned to the pond with a smooth landing. The second chick followed with a flight of his own shortly after.

With the chicks flying, they’ll be moving on soon. I won’t be able to get back to their pond until midweek next week. I’ll be surprised if their still there. I said goodbye to the chicks and wished them well.

New England’s loons mostly winter in the Atlantic between Cape Cod and Maine. Of course, there are always a few adventurers and those that didn’t read the manual who wander further. The youngsters will spend roughly three to five years either at sea or in ponds without a territorial pair before seeking their own territories and mates.

Now I’m off to find some new photo opportunities.

birds, common loons, loon chicks, loons

The Easton Chicks Growing Up

On October 4, 2024 - Loons, Wildlife Photography

The Easton chicks are still on their pond and are finishing their lessons on how to be loons. The Middletons and Westons seem to have departed for the season.

Tomorrow – Saturday October 5 – I’ll be giving my slideshow, An Uncommon Look at the Common Loon at the Richford, VT, Town Hall at 10 am. On November 6, I’ll be a the Hartland, VT, Public Library at 6 pm. I’ll also have a print exhibit of some of my favorite loon photos hanging in the Hartland Library during November.

And next weekend I’ll be up at the Stowe Foliage Arts Festival October 11-13 with note cards, calendars and prints. Come on out and have a look. All the details about the Festival here: https://stoweartsfest.com/.

I made it up to visit the Eastons on the 24th. Mom and both chicks were out and about. The chicks should be able to feed themselves by now, but are still willing to pester their parents for food.

The loons were off doing loon things when I arrived. I spent a time just enjoying being out on the pond.

After a bit, one of the chicks showed up, foraging on his own before stretching.

The other chick was chasing and pestering mom to be fed. Mom came up with a nice horned pout. It took the chick a bit of work to get it down.

And before the chick has fully swallowed the fish, he? returned to pestering mom for more.

It wasn’t long before mom scored another good sized horned pout. Which the chick put away without a problem.

Mom dove and put some space between her and the chick – probably to get a moment’s peace.

A good look at the chicks. They’ve lost all their down and are dressed in their winter plumage.

Mom was keeping her distance, so one of the chicks tried to get the other to come up with a meal. No dice. I stuck around until the wind came up and was a little surprised that neither chick showed interest in attempting to fly.

On the first, I made it back to check in with them again. Fall has arrived.

The colors along the pond were just about peak.

The chicks are now 12-weeks-old. One was foraging for himself without the rest of the family in sight.

The other chick was begging from mom. Dad wasn’t to be found, he may have left for the season. After a little bit, mom took time to stretch.

Mom was traveling a good distance with every dive, possibly to try to lose the chick and make him forage on his own. The chick would head for mom when she surfaced, she usually dove before he got close. They soon got far enough away from me that I looked for other critters to photograph.

I hadn’t seen the herons on my last couple trips and guessed they’d moved on. But I found one hunting in the fog. I’m not sure if this was one of the residents or someone stopping by on his way elsewhere. But, he? posed nicely through the morning, so I was glad to see him.

Striking out finding breakfast in the first spot, he moved to again pose nicely.

Once again, I waited for the wind to come up to see if the chicks would attempt to fly. Having a brisk wind increases the lift their wings generate. They’ll always take off into the wind. Mom swam downwind of the chicks, turned into the wind and took off. She seemed to demonstrate how to take off for the chicks. It took her much longer than usual to gain height. She ran across the water for longer than usual and she seemed slower than usual. It sure looked like a lesson on how to take off.

Still running across the water with the chicks watching.

The demonstration seemed to work. About 30 seconds after mom took off, the first of the chicks stretched and turned into the wind.

Clear the runway! The chick made a run trying to take off. He wasn’t able to get high enough out of the water to get his legs under him to let him run across the water. This was as high as he got. This time.

When the chicks decide to end their takeoff attempt, they slow down by turning and skidding across the water – sort of like a skier making a snowplow stop.

Soon after, the second chick made an attempt to take off.

Not going to happen today little guy…. Soon, very soon……

After the chicks make a good effort they always seem to looked pleased with themselves.

And a good stretch and fluff to get the feathers back in place.

They were still trying to take off as I left. I suspect they’ve got just a few days before they get airborne. This late in the season, I suspect they’ll depart their pond shortly after successfully flying. I’m going to try to get back once more, but I won’t be surprised if they’ve headed out before I return. This may be the last post with this year’s chicks.

And a shoutout to everyone working to protect the loons. They have lots of great info about loons online. A few sites to check out:

The Loon Preservation Committee works to protect and study loons in New Hampshire. In Vermont the Vermont Center for Ecostudies does work with loons and other wildlife. The Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation works in the Adirondacks. And The Loon Project works in the Upper Midwest.

birds, birds in flight, common loons, loons

Loon Update

On September 22, 2024 - Loons, Wildlife Photography

I had a chance to check in with the Eastons and Middletons over the last week. Let’s see what they’re up to.

I’ll be up at the Stowe Foliage Arts Festival October 11-13 with note cards, calendars and prints. Come on out and have a look. All the details about the Festival here: https://stoweartsfest.com/.

I’ll be giving my slideshow, An Uncommon Look at the Common Loon a couple times in the near future. First is at 10 a.m. October 5 at the Richford, VT, Town Hall. And again at 6 p.m. on November 6 at the Hartland, VT, Library.

This week, the folks behind the Lake Fairlee loon cam, Doug Tift, Sean Brown and Eric Hanson, gave a great presentation on the success of the cam. The cam is offline for the season, but they’ll have it back up in the spring. They’ve got a collection of highlights from this past season up at https://www.youtube.com/@LakeFairleeAssociation/playlists. They’ve captured lots of great video of various behaviors and interactions with the other critters on the ponds.

September 17 was a beautiful day above the valley fog. The Eastons were enjoying a light mist when I arrived. Mom and the chicks were at the south end of the pond, with the chicks hounding her to be fed. Dad took the morning off and drifted leisurely alone at the north end of the pond.

Dad was cruising the north end of the pond, occasionally diving to forage.

The colors are coming on. With the late hatch for these chicks, we’ve probably got another couple weeks before any of them move on for the season.

Dad is beginning to change into his winter plumage, see the gray feathers around the base of his bill. The lump under his bill is likely a fibroma – a benign tumor, probably the result of an abscess from getting poked with something sharp – like a fish spine or fish hook. He’s had it for some time and it doesn’t seem to bother.

Down the other end of the pond, the chicks were chasing mom, trying to get her to feed them. They’re old enough to forage on their own, but still want the parents to feed them. When the chicks are this big, it must be exhausting for the parents. The chicks are big enough to keep up with the adults and will be on them within a couple seconds of their surfacing. And they don’t stop….

Another shot of a chick encouraging mom to feed him.

On the 20th, I made it over to the Middleton’s pond. Friends on the pond said they hadn’t seen the Middletons for a week. I spent a couple of hours on the pond without finding them, they’ve moved on. They’ve left a little earlier than in previous years. Most of New England’s loons will winter in the Atlantic between Cape Cod and Maine. Of course, they don’t all read the manual and there will be some that go off to other places. They may well stop on a larger pond to the south or east of home before continuing to the Atlantic. This time of year, it is common to find ‘rafts’ or ‘asylums’ of loons gathering on ponds. Without having to worry about chicks, they’re more social.

There was a small flock of geese resting in the morning fog.

And a double-crested cormorant has stopped on the pond. After feeding, he? perched on a submerged log.

The Loon Preservation Committee banded the Middleton adults this year. It will be interesting to see if they both come back in the spring. I’ve been following the loons on the pond since 2012. From his behavior, I think we’ve had the same male the whole time. We lost the original female in a fight with a goose in 2017. Let’s hope the Middletons have safe travels and reunite in the spring.

birds, loon chicks, loons

A Foggy Morning with the Middletons

On September 10, 2024 - Loons, Wildlife Photography

Last week I had a chance to visit with the Middletons on a foggy morning, here’s a brief update.

And, I’ve gotten a slew of new subscribers in the past week. Welcome. I follow loons on three ponds every year. To protect their privacy, I don’t share which ponds. But the loons on the pond to my east are the ‘Eastons,’ the loons to my west are the ‘Westons.’ The pond in the middle hosts the Middletons.

This coming weekend, I’ll be at the Artrider Fall Crafts at Lyndhurst Show in Tarrytown, NY. Stop by and say hello. All the details about the show are on Artrider’s site https://www.artrider.com/fall-crafts-at-lyndhurst-2024.

Next, I’ll be teaching a workshop, Photographing Your Student Athlete at the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester on September 28. This is designed for parents with kids playing in Little League through varsity. We’ll be working with cameras with interchangeable lenses, if you’re shooting with a phone, this may not be for you. All the details on the Currier’s site https://currier.org/class/photography-in-motion-with-ian-clark/.

Just a couple more…. I’ll be giving my slideshow An Uncommon Look at the Common Loon at the Town Hall in Richford, VT, Saturday, October 5 at 10 am and again at the Hartland, VT, Public Library on November 6. Still working to find the exact time, but it will be something like 5 pm. I’ll post when we get it finalized.

On to the loons… The Middleton chicks were 11-weeks-old when I visited last week. They look like they’re doing well. Dad (he’s banded) was the only adult on the pond. This time of year, it is likely that mom took some time off and is resting on a nearby pond. You’ll see why she needed a break below.

The chicks are pretty independent and are perfectly capable of foraging for themselves. That doesn’t stop them from demanding food from the parents. Here’s one of our chicks resting as the sun rises.

Dad appeared out of the fog and gave a nice stretch.

He was quickly joined by one of the hungry chicks.

I love watching the sun filter through the fog and trees. It makes getting a good shot challenging, but when it works, it’s wonderful.

The other chick tracked dad down and started pestering him for a meal. The chicks will poke at, and pull feathers on their parent when they want a meal. They usually aim for the parent’s neck or breast. And they’re persistent. This time of year, I often see parents hand off a meal and almost immediately dive again to get away from the chick. Dad wasn’t interested in diving and suffered the consequences. The first photo I have of this chick getting in his face was at 07:42, the chick was still at it when I left at 08:30. I’m convinced this is why the parents are the first to leave the pond in the fall.

Dad turned away from the chick and tried to stretch his leg. The chick was content to give it a good tug.

Back around front, the chick tries poking dad’s chin.

Dad still isn’t getting the hint but our chick isn’t giving up….

Dad tries to put some space between him and the chick. But the chick isn’t having it….

The chick tries dad’s neck again…. Look at the chick’s upper bill, you can see he’s gotten under dad’s feathers.

Dad is slow on the uptake this morning and the chick gets in a good poke. Dad is probably deliberately ignoring the chick to get him to forage on his own.

The chick moves around to the back of the neck again – he’s got a good bite of dad.

Dad still isn’t taking the hint, the chick tries the left side of his neck…

As I was getting ready to head out, our chick gave a nice stretch.

I hope to get back out to visit the families again next week, will update when I can.

birding, loon chicks, loons, new hampshire wildlife

Catching Up With The Loon Familes

On August 31, 2024 - Loons, Wildlife Photography

It was too long between trips to check on the three loon families. Work, the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen’s Fair and rain kept me off the water. Things improved a week ago, and I’ve had a chance to visit all three families. All our chicks are doing well.

I’ll be up at the Laudholm Nature Crafts Festival in Wells, ME, September 7 & 8 with lots of note cards, calendars and prints. All the details are on their site: https://wellsreserve.org/event/52783/36th-laudholm-nature-crafts-festival.

The next weekend, September 13-15, I’ll be in Tarrytown, NY, at the Fall Crafts at Lyndhurst Festival. Details for this one are here: https://www.artrider.com/fall-crafts-at-lyndhurst-2024.

And, for those parents who get picked to provide photos of student athletes, I’ll be teaching a workshop at the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester, NH, on September 28. The workshop is for anyone who wants to get better photos of kids’ sports from tee ball to varsity. It is designed for using cameras with interchangeable lenses, and may not be helpful if you’re using your phone. All the details are on the Museum’s site https://currier.org/class/photography-in-motion-with-ian-clark/.

OK, on to the birds…. A week ago Friday, I headed out to visit the Eastons. Their pond is away from the Connecticut River and slightly higher in elevation. It was clear here on the hill, with fog in the valley. When I crossed the River, it was foggy enough that I couldn’t see the water from the bridge. The Eastons were above the worst of it.

Before I found the loons, I passed the resident herons. Mornings are getting chilly again, this heron is fluffed up to keep warm while waiting for the sun to rise.

The other great blue heron had the camo working.

Our loons were well down the pond. The parents were just finishing up feeding the now four-week-old chicks. The chicks floated off to nap and the parents got themselves some breakfast in the shallows.

The osprey showed up, hunting for breakfast. He? had to work at it, making several dives that came up empty. While he was hunting, a small hawk appeared and repeatedly dove at him. The hawk didn’t seem to make much of an impression on him, he continued about his business. The hawk stayed far enough away that I couldn’t get any photos.

After diving, osprey shake like a dog to dry off.

After a short nap, the chicks were back up and about. And hungry. They can forage on their own now, but still need help from their parents.

Mom soon came to their aid with a horned pout.

While mom was feeding the chicks, dad took a few minutes to preen and stretch.

Heading back to join the family, he cruised by to check me out.

The osprey has spotted a trout below….. Success this time!

The loons led the chicks into the shallow water and supervised while they foraged on their own.

The chicks are still learning what is good to eat. And what’s not. This chick tried a damselfly. Too much wing and not enough breast…..

The next morning, the fog in the valley didn’t seem to be as thick, so I headed out to visit the Middletons.

I was wrong. On the pond, the fog was very thick and it was tough to find the loons. After some searching, I found one adult and both chicks. The adult was feeding the chicks – but no where near as much or as often as the chicks wanted. The adult would stand off from the chicks, apparently encouraging them to forage for themselves.

Eventually the chicks got so hungry they started looking for food for themselves. This chick stopped to rip this water lily apart – hey, it had it coming! There was probably an insect inside that the chick was after.

The next morning, I learned my lesson and went back to visit the Eastons. I managed to paddle past the loons on my way down the pond. I was well down the pond when dad when cruising by on a mission.

An eagle had perched overlooking the pond. Dad went to work explaining that this was not an eagle-inclusive community and the eagle should buzz off.

Turning around, I soon found mom with the chicks.

Mom took a few seconds to preen. Dad continued to wail at the eagle…

Mom has spotted something….. She chased a wood duck out of the nearby brush.

Mom was letting the chicks roam far from her as she foraged. Until dad changed his call.

Just after dad’s call changed, the eagle appeared overhead. Mom herded the chicks close to my boat. This behavior is apparently fairly common with lots of different people experiencing it. Apparently the loons figure the eagle won’t want to tangle with people. I was happy to babysit and couldn’t resist getting a pic as they got close.

If you’re on a pond and this happens, just put your paddle down and sit. Let the loons do what they need to do without interfering.

The eagle flew off without bothering the loons. I was not as convinced that dad had scared him off as dad was.

With the threat gone, peace returned to the pond.

Thursday, there was just a hint of fog in the valley, so I ventured up to see the Westons. And found the only patch of thick fog in the area. It was 48° with a chilly wind. There was one adult and the chick on the pond.

The chick is able to forage for itself at this point, but still preferred to pester the parent to be fed.

After a time, another loon flew in. The loon on the pond approached and displayed how big he? was. The new loon swam off to the other side of the pond and the home team returned to the chick. I’m not sure if this was an intruder or the mate.

The fog refused to lift and the wind was getting unpleasant, so I headed in.

On the way to the boat launch, I found four does playing in the shallow water. They were kicking up their heels and splashing and chasing each other. The photos weren’t any good because I was shooting through the fog, but it was fun to watch.

Not sure how soon I can get out again, but want to get back when I can. The Weston and Middleton chicks should be learning to fly by now, always fun to watch them as they try.

birds, loon chicks, loons

News From the Eastons

On July 27, 2024 - Loons, Wildlife Photography

There’s great news from the Eastons! I’ve been up to visit them a couple times this past week. They’ve been sitting on their second clutch of eggs. They lost the first clutch, I suspect the nest was flooded, but we’ll never know. Let’s see how their doing. (The Eastons are the easternmost of the loon families I follow. My blog has gotten popular enough that I need to protect the loons’ privacy.)

The League of New Hampshire Craftsmen’s Fair kicks off Saturday August 3 and runs through Sunday August 11 at the Mount Sunapee Resort in Sunapee, NH. I’ll have lots of new images, from note cards to 20×30″ wall art. Stop by booth 718 to have a look. All the details about the Fair are on the League’s site, www.NHCrafts.org

When I visited the Eastons on July 21, they had a chick and were still sitting on an egg. I returned on July 22 well before dawn and found the same situation.

Common loon — Dad was on the nest and snuggling with the chick.

Common loon sitting on a nest — Mom soon appeared and checked in for shift change. I was watching eagerly when they swapped, but couldn’t see what was going on with the second egg.

male loon feeding his chick near his nest while mom sits on the nest — Dad delivering breakfast while mom looks on. I’m really happy with this image. Does it have sort of a Normal Rockwell feel?

Female loon turning egg in her nest — Mom stood – to turn the egg. You can see it in front of her left leg.

male loon with chick — Dad took the chick about 100 feet from the nest to feed it while mom watched from the nest. Every time dad would dive, mom would sit up and hoot. After a couple dives, she started wailing at dad when he surfaced. Dad dove a few more times, feeding the chick. Each time mom got louder and more strident. Dad started answering back, each wail louder and longer than the last. You didn’t need to speak loon to understand they were squabbling.

This morning, I headed back, again before dawn.

common loon stretching — While scanning the lake for the family, mom gave a wing stretch, letting me know where they were.

Loon carrying chick on his back — Dad was cruising peacefully, with only one chick showing on his back.

Common loons — For the better part of half an hour, dad kept cruising slowly as mom started feeding the chick.

Common loon with chicks — Only when dad stood to stretch did I see a second chick. Yeah! Both chicks appear healthy – they’re active, feed eagerly and have already grown noticeably.

Common loon feeding chicks — Both parents then got to work bringing food. Here’s dad with a small morsel.

loon feeding chick — And mom trying to deliver a crayfish bigger than the chick’s head. She offered the crayfish to both chicks several times.

common loon feeding chick — Eventually, one of the chicks decided to give it a try.

Common loons feeding chicks — The chick dropped the crayfish several times, with mom retrieving it each time. Here mom has to wait to retrieve it as dad sails by with a fish for the other chick.

Common loon carrying chicks on her back — All this eating really tires a chick out, they’re down for a good snooze.

common loon chicks — Both chicks waiting for the next serving.

baby loons, loon chicks, loons, wildlife, wildlife photography

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