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

Checking Up on the Loons, et al

On July 21, 2024 - Loons, Moose, Wildlife Photography

Let’s catch up with the Middletons and the Eastons, I’ve been to visit them – and their pondmates – a couple of times.

Tuesday evening I’ll be at the Loch Lyme Lodge in Lyme, NH to show lots of nature photos and present An Uncommon Look at the Common Loon. For details, timing and prices, see LochLymeLodge.com.

And the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen’s Fair opens August 3 and runs through August 11. I’m in booth 718. I’ve got lots of new images and favorites from years past. Come on by to have a look. If you’ve never been to the Fair, you’re missing a real show. Besides having some of New England’s best looking photographers, there is amazing work by all sorts of craftsmen, the skill is simply amazing. All the details about the Fair on the League’s site: NHCrafts.org.

The Eastons were receiving visitors when I showed up on July 14. Mom was tending the nest and dad was enjoying a peaceful morning. For a time.

Dad took his time with a through preening, finishing with a nice stretch.

Trouble appeared in the form an intruding loon, a challenger for the pond. Dad went off to set him straight.

After a brief kerfuffle, the intruder decided he’d be better off elsewhere and departed.

Dad took a victory wing stretch and headed back to check on mom still on the nest.

On his way back to the nest, he set a course that brought him very close to my boat, giving me a chance for a headshot. The growth under his bill is likely an abscess, possibly from getting poked with something sharp like a fish fin or fishing hook. It hasn’t changed noticeably in over a year and doesn’t seem to bother him.

Dad checked in on Mom and everything was peaceful when I left.

July 17 was the first day their eggs might have hatched. I went up to see how they were getting on. (They lost their first clutch, likely due to flooding.)

I caught a predawn nest exchange. Here’s dad checking in with mom to see if she wants to end her shift on the nest. She wanted a few more minutes before the exchange.

After a few minutes, mom decided she’d had enough and turned the nest over to dad. Dad climbed aboard and turned the eggs before settling in.

After a few minutes, dad alerted to some threat. This is the posture of a stressed loon – if you’re looking at a nest and see the loon flatten out without your seeing an obvious threat, you may be the threat.

Two intruding loons landed on the pond. Mom went to face them down. She wasted no time displaying how big and tough she was, trying to convince the intruders to go away.

Dad left the nest to join the fray. The loons did the circle dance – swimming around each other, sizing each other up. Loons appear to use the position of their head to communicate. Probably just as well we can’t translate what they’re saying here.

Shortly, there were loons wing rowing in every direction.

After several minutes, the intruders retreated to the far end of the pond. Dad headed back to the nest, mom went out for breakfast.

Dad returned to the nest and reclaimed his spot.

Oops, can’t settle in yet, have to turn the eggs again.

Intruders banished, eggs turned, dad can enjoy his shift. The intruders departed as I has heading to the boat launch.

I went back on July 19 to see if the chicks had hatched.

This time, dad had taken the overnight shift. Here’s mom checking in for the nest exchange. A steady wind came up and seeing we had no chicks, I headed home.

Paddling up the pond, I passed Hank, the great blue heron stretching on some rocks.

On the 20th, I checked in on the Middletons. There was a thick fog when I put in and finding the family was a challenge. Until they swam out of the fog right in front of me.

The last time I visited, I was a bit concerned about the smaller chick. The larger chick had been pecking at him? constantly when he was with the family. The smaller chick had been separating from the family far further than normal at this age. This time, both chicks were traveling with the parents and the sibling rivalry seemed under control.

Mom and dad provided first breakfast for the chicks. This is mom popping up close to my boat with a snack. There’s a fish in all that salad somewhere.

After first breakfast, the family headed out to deep water for some preening.

And the chicks have learned to finish preening with a nice stretch.

First breakfast having worn off, the chicks were ready for second breakfasts. Here’s mom wrestling with a sunfish – that’s a fin sticking out of the water on the left of the image.

The sunfish was very uncooperative. Mom struggled more with this fish than any other catch I’ve seen. Here she finally seems to have it under control.

She tried to hand it off to the chicks. But, since the fish was nearly as long as the chicks, it didn’t work. Mom eventually had a big meal for herself.

Mom and dad took the chicks back to shallow water in a cove to let them forage. This time, mom and dad supervised and made the chicks forage on their own.

The chicks are no longer little fluff balls, they’re growing rapidly. They’re roughly 2/3rds adult size.

This is probably the younger chick, he’s? just showing the first signs of losing his down.

The other chick is well along in losing his down.

Here’s dad – you can just barely see the band on his leg – supervising as the chicks forage.

If you sit very quietly, loons will sometimes swim under and around your boat. One of the shots I hope to get with the new GoPro is a loon swimming by the boat. Almost got it here.

This morning, I headed back to check on the Eastons. There were several deer and a nice bull moose out and about. When I arrived it was a very pleasant 56° with a dead calm wind leaving the water with almost perfect mirror reflections. There were just a few whisps of clouds above and it promised to be a great sunrise on the pond.

This doe isn’t afraid of me. Several times, she’s come down to the shore. When she sees me, she doesn’t retreat, she hisses and barks at me.

This moose was at the far end of the pond. I snuck slowly very close to the shore as I tried to get close enough for a photo. Just as I was getting into camera range, a steady wind came up. The moose quickly got my scent and headed into the brush. Need I add that the wind was pushing me away from the boat launch?

I went back to check on the loons. Mom was on the nest. I grounded the boat to watch. What had been a very pleasant morning went south as a thick fog rolled in making things cold and damp. Of course, I was in just a tee, there having been no need for a sweatshirt earlier. Mom was fidgeting more than usual, so I stayed to watch. And waited…. After a time, she raised her left wing – look very closely, the first chick has hatched.

Here’s a very severe crop of the image to show the chick. With the other chick yet to hatch and being cold and miserable I headed in. I’ll try to get out to visit them again in the next couple days.

A wren has claimed one of the boxes on our deck. She’s spending her morning alerting the world that this is her corner and she isn’t to be disturbed. For sheer volume of song per ounce of bird, there can’t be any noisier bird than a wren.

bull moose, common loons, loons, moose, wildlife

Loon Update July 12, 2024

On July 12, 2024 - Loons, Wildlife Photography

I’ve made it out to check on two of our three loon families, and have heard reports from the third.

The Loch Lyme Lodge in Lyme will host me to present An Uncommon Look at the Common Loon in the evening of July 23, part of their Tuesday Night Cookouts. We’re still figuring exactly when I’ll present, as soon as we know, the details will be on their site: www.LochLymeLodge.com.

And, I’m busy getting ready for the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen’s Fair, August 3-11 at Mount Sunapee Resort in Sunapee, NH. I’ll be in booth 718, come on by and say hello. All the Fair details are on the League’s Site.

While I haven’t had a chance to visit the Westons, a friend reports they’re doing well with the one chick. And, mom seems to be hanging around.

The Eastons lost their first clutch. All I know is the nest was empty when I visited. The water was up to the lip of the nest, I suspect the nest flooded. They’ve decided to try again and the chicks are due in the next few days.

I often joke that the pair of great blue herons that share the Easton’s pond are skittish and only give me a couple photo opportunities each year. But, they make them count……

The Eastons returned to an island they used for a nesting site as recently as four years ago.

This is mom – this is the pair where dad is banded – turning the eggs.

The local osprey spent the morning hunting breakfast. He? made several unsuccessful dives before coming up with this brook trout he hauled off.

The big news from the Middletons is that the Loon Preservation Committee biologists were able to band both adults over the July 4th Holiday. LPC tries to band something like 30-35 loons every year – almost 5% of New Hampshire’s loon population.

Banding lets them track individual loons over many years giving insights on behavior. Loons get four bands, one with a unique number from the United States Geological Survey (hey, it’s the government). Being unique, that number will forever definitively identify that bird. But the numbers on the USGS band are small and all but impossible to read unless you’re holding the bird. Loons aren’t big fans of being held, so they get three more bands with a mix of colors. If the bird is banded as a chick, the USGS band goes on the left leg, if they’re banded as adults, they wear it on the right leg. The color combination gives a nearly perfect way to identify the individual without having to catch it.

Along with banding the birds, they also take measurements to learn about size and weight along with blood to test for lead, hematocrit (concentration of red blood cells) and for infections including avian malaria.

We now know that this is mom and she passed her physical with flying colors.

Adolescent chicks will pester their parents when they’re hungry. The chicks will poke the parent or pull feathers. They try for the parent’s face or neck to get maximum attention. As the season progresses, the chicks get ever more demanding. The time the adults spend on the surface with the chicks drops dramatically as the season progresses.

Hungry chicks are very persistent. My theory is this is why the parents leave before the chicks come fall – they’ve just had enough.

Dad finally got the hint and headed out to forage for second breakfasts.

Our chicks are no longer tiny fuzz balls, they’re growing rapidly. They’ll start losing their down shortly.

The chicks are rivals and seem to know the other is a competitor for food. The chicks will often squabble. If the older chick has a size advantage, it can kill or drive the other chick away from the family. Sad to watch, but that’s nature’s way of assuring the strongest survive.

One of our chicks was trying to keep some distance from the family – while staying close enough to get fed. When it got fed, the other would come over and peck at it.

The parents were feeding both chicks, here’s a nice perch.

The chick had no problem putting it away….

At one point a great blue heron flew high over the pond. After it got behind me, it gave several loud squawks. The resident osprey repeatedly dove on the heron, convincing it to find another place to forage. Poor stage management had all the action directly up sun making pix of the action impossible.

The bug eaters were doing well. There were several eastern phoebes foraging low along the edge of the pond.

And the waxwings were foraging lower than usual allowing good views.

I’ve got a new toy – a GoPro video camera. It is waterproof to an extent. Here’s a view of a male pumpkinseed guarding his nest on the Middleton’s pond.

I’m hoping to get out to check on the Eastons and Westons this weekend, weather permitting.

baby loons, birds, common loon, loon chicks, loons

Update on Our Loon Families

On June 30, 2024 - Loons, Photography, Wildlife Photography

There’s news – good and disappointing – from our three loon families.

I’ll be at the Blake Memorial Library’s Art, House and Garden Tour July 6 & 7. The Library is in Corinth, VT, the Tour takes you around Corinth and Topsham. I’ll be set up at the Topsham Town Hall. All the details here.

I made it up to visit the Eastons on the 25th. They were in the window where their eggs could hatch. Sadly, I found an empty nest. The water was up to the lip of the nest and had probably been higher the days before my visit. The good news is that it looks like they’re going to try again. They were defending an island where they used to nest. I hadn’t realized they’d claimed the island until I attempted to beach my boat to fiddle with my gear. Dad explained that I had to go. So I did.

Update: I visited the pond again Sunday afternoon, there was a loon sitting a new nest.

When I arrived, there was an intruder on the pond. They wailed at each other for a time before the intruder retreated to the far end of the pond. Some time later, he? departed.

The home team cruised peacefully around their pond for much of the morning.

In a recent email, John Cooley of the Loon Preservation Committee mentioned he’d seen loons yodel at low flying aircraft, something I’d never noticed. This morning, mom started wailing for no apparent reason. Shortly afterwards, a light plane appeared.

The LPC is a great resource for loon info. Over the years, John has been very generous answering my endless questions. Thanks John!

The Middletons were out and about when I visited on Friday. The chicks are growing rapidly and appear to be in good health. When I arrived, there was a thick fog on the pond. I had to make two circuits before finding the loons in deep shadows as the sun rose.

They were feeding in shallow water along the shore. The sun was rising behind the trees.

The chicks are now two-weeks-old. They’ve more than doubled in size.

Even chicks can give a nice wing stretch. One was working on diving skills. He? was managing to stay under almost 15 seconds.

A good look at one of the chicks waiting for the next course to be delivered.

The parents kept busy delivering breakfast. They’re dropping the prey in front of the chicks and making the chicks catch it for themselves. The chicks are getting better at it, but still take a couple tries much of the time.

Mom and dad have noticed an immature eagle flying over the pond. The eagle went on his way without stopping.

When I last posted, Mrs. Weston hadn’t been seen for five days and I feared the worst. Later in the summer, it is common for one of the parents to disappear for a couple days. Probably for R&R on a nearby pond. I was concerned as the chicks were very young and it seemed she was gone a long time.

Just after I posted the last time, a friend on the pond messaged to tell me she appeared to be back. When I visited Thursday a week ago, she was indeed back with the family. When I asked where she’d been, she refused to answer. Loons can be like that.

The family spent a peaceful morning, foraging and slowly touring their pond.

The parents took turns hauling groceries to the chick.

Want to help the loon conservation effort? The loon census is coming up on Saturday, July 20. The idea is to get volunteers to check all the ponds at the same time to get an accurate count of all the loons and chicks. All you need to do is go for a paddle around your pond and count the loons. For more details or to volunteer in Vermont, see the Vermont Center for Ecostudies’ site, https://vtecostudies.org/projects/lakes-ponds/common-loon-conservation/loonwatch/participate/. In New Hampshire, check out the Loon Preservation Committee’s site at https://loon.org/census/.

baby loons, birds, chicks, loon chicks, loons

Loon Chicks Have Arrived

On June 20, 2024 - Foxes, Loons, Photography, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography

Two of our loon families – the Westons and Middletons have hatched two chicks. I’ve been out to see how they, and their neighbors are doing.

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

I left a game camera looking out my blind by one of the fox dens. Here’s a minute of foxes big and small coming and going.

A neighbor told me he has a whippoorwill stopping by late every evening and early every morning. I sat out by his garden and got a good listen to the whippoorwill. Unfortunately, it was too dark to see him. So far, he’s eluded my game cameras. My consolation prize was a pair of bobolinks:

Mr. bobolink looking dapper as he looks over his territory.

A friend on the Weston’s pond messaged me on the 13th, telling me they’d seen a chick. I headed up to visit that evening.

I quickly found the babysitting loon with a chick riding along.

The chick riding in sight climbed off and was swimming along the far side of the parent when the parent lifted a wing to let me see they had a second chick.

The other parent returned to the cove where the family was waiting, the family headed to greet him(?).

Little loons face big challenges – like powering over those pesky lily pads.

The parents set to feeding the chicks. After several small meals, one of the adults arrived with this crayfish. Both chicks tried to get it down, but couldn’t. It looks to me like our parent is checking the fit. Apparently realizing the crayfish was too big, the adult ate it.

One of the parents gave a nice wing stretch as I was getting ready to head in.

By the 16th, the Middletons were in the window for the chicks to hatch. I headed over early, in heavy fog. It was a fine 36° when I put in. Heavy fog made it hard to find the loons.

After a bit of searching, a parent went by carrying a meal, I knew that at least one chick had hatched. I never saw the nest after they started sitting on the first egg, so I was curious to see if they’d had a second. Soon I found the other parent with a chick onboard. I floated in the fog for about 40 minutes before a second chick popped up from under a wing.

The parents took the chicks into one of the coves to give the chicks second breakfasts. The problem with second breakfasts for little chicks is that it seems to make them hungry for brunch… The sun was coming up and most of the pond was nicely lit with wisps of fog. Our family stayed determinedly stayed about 10′ into the shadows.

Second breakfast came to an end, one parent packed the chicks aboard, the other took a chance to stretch before heading across the pond to serve brunch.

Along the way, the parents traded babysitting duty and the other adult had a chance to stretch.

Now in nice sunlight, the parents got back to work feeding the chicks.

A quick reminder about photographing chicks – give them their space. I’m using a long lens – something like a 20x scope and these images are heavily cropped.

This side of the pond seemed a good place to catch fingerling bass for the chicks.

One of the chicks seems to want to skip the whole chick business and get right on being a big loon. He stretched his wings several times.

And made a couple of impressive dives – this time he stayed under for the better part of three seconds – excellent for a little chick.

Waiting for the parents to retrieve the next course.

A chick’s eye view of a meal being delivered.

Early on the 18th, I headed up to check on the Westons. It was 74° when I put in, almost 40° difference in two days.

There was sad news when I got out on the pond.

I could find only one parent and one chick. After a few minutes, a second adult flew in. The adult on the pond objected and challenged the intruder. Off and on all morning, they chased each other across the pond. Eventually our parent yodeled at the other loon, telling us he’s the male.

Another shot of a loon wing rowing across the pond – a sign of aggression.

One of the adults started hiding close in behind my kayak. The intruder was still on the pond when I left.

There was other activity on the pond. Here a doe stopped by for a drink and a snack of reeds.

A merganser and her duckling paraded by.

There were several beaver pups out on the pond. They’re just a bit bigger than guinea pigs and found the unopened water lily flowers tasty.

I went back up to the pond on the 19th, on a very hot and hazy morning.

Sadly, just dad and the chick were on the pond. Another loon flew over calling, but continued on. It seems unlikely that mom voluntarily left the pond with chicks this young, I fear the worst.

There was an eastern kingbird sitting and watching for some time. I suspected there was a nest nearby.

After a time, a second kingbird appeared with a dragonfly and I was able to spot the nest. I’ve seen several nests in these trees (cedar?) but never noticed how well the chick’s mouth blends in with the pinecones.

And, I’m busy printing new images for the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen’s Fair. It opens in Sunapee, NH, on August 3rd.

baby loons, birding, birds, loon chicks, loon chicks on back, loons

An Update on the Loons’ Ponds

On June 10, 2024 - Loons, Moose, Wildlife Photography

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

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

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