Sunday morning, the sky looked like there was a chance of some sunshine. I headed out to visit the Eastons. There was a light fog with hints of blue sky above when I arrived at the pond. And, it was a very pleasant 55° when I launched. The fog rapidly lifted for a beautiful morning. Our loon family was all together and the parents were both feeding the chicks.
Crayfish were on the menu.
One chick had his fill and was settling in for a nap when both parents arrived bearing crayfish. He ignored them and went to sleep. His sibling got both crayfish.
The chick that was still awake got a very good feeding. Eventually, he too settled in for a nap. The parents headed out, presumably for their own breakfast.
One parent went north, one went south. It wasn’t long before the one to the south sounded an alert. The one to the north went steaming down the pond at a good clip.
There were two intruding loons on the pond. All four loons started on the circle dance – they swim around each other sizing up the opposition.
They try to convince the opposition that they’re just too big and tough to mess with.
The confrontation quickly escalated to wing rowing – the loons propel themselves along the surface of the water with their wingtips. Frequently with an opponent in hot pursuit. Chases while wing rowing can go on for many minutes, covering lots of territory.
After a chase, if no one concedes and leaves, they’ll regroup and start again.
If the circling and staring doesn’t work, they may try displaying by stretching their wings. They’ll come up higher out of the water than they usually do to make themselves look bigger.
The intruders weren’t scared away and the chase was on!
They’ll change direction by dipping a wingtip into the water, this loon is turning left.
Making another circuit and gaining a few feet on the pursuer.
The one being chased ran out of pond and had to turn 180° to keep going.
Coming around again. Shortly after this round, one of the loons flew off. Followed soon after by a second loon. And, to my surprise, the loon I thought was the home team female left too.
Dad headed back up the pond to find the chicks. They’d been hiding deep in the brush near where they’d had breakfast. They promptly came out to join dad. Adolescent chicks will nibble at the parent’s neck and face when they want to be fed. Our chicks have learned how to nibble. The chicks are persistent, they’ll pester the parents until the parents swim off. Usually the parents take the hint and go find some food for them. I think this is the reason that the parents leave for the season before the chicks, they just want a break.
After a time, what I think was mom arrived back on the pond.
Followed closely by one of the intruders. Dad stayed with the chicks while mom dealt with the intruder. There was a brief skirmish including wing rowing and the intruder left again.
This morning, I went back up to the pond to see how the home team was making out. Crayfish were again on the menu. Once again, both parents were foraging to feed both chicks.
I’m not sure if our chick is yawning or burping. Either way, that’s a scary view if you’re a fish.
Our chicks are diving in deep water now. I watched this one make several dives that I counted out to be about 25 seconds. After surfacing, he gave a good stretch. You can see his flight feathers growing in along the bottom of his wings.
After feeding the chicks, dad headed up the pond out of sight. Shortly, I could hear yodeling. Soon, a pair of loons showed up – a wing rowing chase. They covered a lot of ground, but didn’t get close enough for photos. Some time after that, a loon flew overhead coming from that end of the pond. A second loon swam down the pond and rejoined mom who was tending the chicks.
The home team held the pond this time. But the fight probably isn’t over. One or both of the intruders are likely to return for several days or even a couple of weeks. Loons pay attention to how well a territory produces chicks. This pond has successfully raised two chicks a season for at least the last three years running. It would be a good territory to take over if the intruder can.
I’m on the road starting Thursday, I probably won’t have time to visit to see how the battle goes. I’ll get back up there to check as soon as I get back.
PS, we’re not supposed to interfere with nature. Don’t tell anyone I’m rooting for the home team.
Thank you for sharing all these beautiful photos and giving us an up close look at loon family life. It is amazing that these rough brown chicks transform into the sleek dazzling adults.
This narrative and the photo essay of “Battle for Easton Pond” is great, Ian!
Thanks!
I love your pictures and your play-by-play commentary!
I look forward to seeing what happens next!
Thanks!
Thank you for sharing all these beautiful photos and giving us an up close look at loon family life. It is amazing that these rough brown chicks transform into the sleek dazzling adults.
You are AMAZING, Ian! I would never be able to see this– and I feel like I have a front row seat, with fabulous commentary.
THANK YOU!
Thanks!
Thanks for this photo story. Great photo series. I did not realize that loons were so territorial.
What exciting reading. Thanks for the wonderful, exciting descriptions of behavior. Sure isn’t an easy life!
Thanks!
I love your posts and the captions under the pictures. Thank you so much for sharing your pictures.
Wonderful pictures…I thoroughly enjoyed them !
Thanks!
As always this is a great narrative of the life of the loon. I al of course rooting for the home team!