Our loon chicks are now 12 weeks old. They’re almost ready to take care of themselves. This week, they’ve been practicing adult calls, postures and they’re trying to fly. I was able to visit the Eastons twice since the last post.
I’ll be down at the Fall Crafts at Lyndhurst Show in Tarrytown, NY this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Stop by to check out all the new images in prints and note cards. All the show details here.
Last Friday, the Eastons’ pond was above most of the fog at sunup. As I headed down the pond I met one chick coming up.
The chicks are ever more independent. They’re roaming the pond away from each other and mom and dad. Unless they’re hungry, then they’re looking for a parent to provide a handout.
The morning’s big project was working on adult calls. This chick attempted several wails – sounding sort of like a gull laughing and a distressed horse. After a time, the other chick started answering, without much improvement. One of them did get off a proper wail when it counted – a large hawk flew low over the pond. This chick is letting loose with a pretty impressive tremolo.
After a bit, our chicks joined up. They were lazily foraging and taking time to call.
Soon mom started calling back and all three joined up. This is the pond where dad is banded. Dad was nowhere to be found this morning. He may have been off for some R&R at another pond. The chicks were very aggressive in crowding and pinching mom to get fed.
Both chicks were sticking close to mom and would immediately close on her when she surfaced. She popped up on the far side of my boat – away from the chicks – several times throughout the morning. Maybe she needed a moment’s rest where the chicks couldn’t see her?
Mom inbound with another crayfish. The chick’s make very quick work of the crayfish now, no more fumbling with them.
The handoff.
And another crayfish.
A chick crowding mom, just in case she didn’t know he might be hungry.
Both chicks crowding mom.
One of the chicks captured a stick covered in weeds. And, had to taught the sibling with it. The stick proved inedible and the chick dropped it. The second chick immediately picked it up to try it for himself.
One last crayfish delivery before I had to head out.
I returned to the pond Tuesday morning. The pond was mostly above the fog again. Beautiful blue skies and the hills to the west were in full sunlight. The pond was stuck in the shadow of one stubborn thick cloud.
The chicks were alone on the pond, both parents were elsewhere. The chicks were foraging about two-thirds of a mile apart. Both successfully feeding themselves. As the sun came up, a breeze grew and the chicks took time to practice flying.
Loons have to run across the surface for some distance to build up speed to get enough lift for takeoff. This chick is giving it a good try.
Further into his run. He doesn’t yet have the strength to get his butt clear of the water.
Here’s the other chick preparing for an attempt.
The first upstroke with the wings for his run.
And back down with the wings. Note how much water he’s kicking up already.
Full extension on the wings…. will it be enough?
Reversing direction on the wings at the top of the stroke. This picture was taken with a shutter speed of 1/2000th of a second, not fast enough to stop the motion.
This attempt didn’t work, he’s slowing and lowering himself back down on the water.
After a quick preen to get all the feathers back in place, he stoop up to stretch. Or his he taking a bow?
The second chick making a second attempt.
He’s really got his wings moving, his butt is nearly clear of the water. Could this be it?
Oh so close! His body – including his butt are clear of the water. But, he’s still pushing off with his left leg.
Rats, not today…. Watching through the lens, I thought he’d made it airborne. Only on the monitor at home did I spot his right leg down. A great try. He’ll be airborne before I can get back to the pond.
The Middletons appear to have scooted from their pond, they haven’t been spotted in almost a week. The Westons were doing well as of this past weekend. Both chicks are growing and getting independent. I’m hoping to get a chance to visit them before they head out.
Thank you for the wonderful photos and the continuing story of the chicks’ progress as they learn to fly. I’m going to miss them when they leave the pond.
Thank you for the wonderful photos and the continuing story of the chicks’ progress as they learn to fly. I’m going to miss them when they leave the pond.