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. Mrs. bobolink stopped by for a time.
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.
Both parents kept busy delivering food. 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.Give it time, little one…. 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. Looking hopeful when a parent returns. 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.
The odds are against loon chicks – only about one in four make it through the first season. There are lots of threats, birds like herons, gulls, crows, eagles; mammals like mink, otter, racoons; even fish and snapping turtles will take a chick. And, a loon that wants to take over the territory may try to kill the chicks. That gives the residents less incentive to defend the territory. We suspect an intruding loon of killing a chick last year. And, there was an intruder on the pond on Tuesday.
Today is first time I have had the great pleasure of viewing ur photos and commentary… just awesome and so nice to read others comments and questions– what a gift, Ian, THK U!
Thank you for this marvelous post. What a joy to savor your photography. I appreciate that you mention you use a long lens and crop. New nature enthusiasts need to understand distance is necessary.
Wonderful photos as usual Ian. I purchased 2 of your photos last year at the Craftsmen Fair and took them out to Washington State with us. There they were framed and hang in our office in the PNW.
Thank you for another beautiful blog entry.
Bummed if the Mom loon and chick met a bad end. What are the most likely predators?
The odds are against loon chicks – only about one in four make it through the first season. There are lots of threats, birds like herons, gulls, crows, eagles; mammals like mink, otter, racoons; even fish and snapping turtles will take a chick. And, a loon that wants to take over the territory may try to kill the chicks. That gives the residents less incentive to defend the territory. We suspect an intruding loon of killing a chick last year. And, there was an intruder on the pond on Tuesday.
It’s a tamarack (Larix laricina), not a cedar
Today is first time I have had the great pleasure of viewing ur photos and commentary… just awesome and so nice to read others comments and questions– what a gift, Ian, THK U!
Thanks, glad you enjoyed them
Thank you so much for sharing your photos. So amazingly beautiful! I thoroughly enjoy them, and your commentary!
Thank you!
Love these. I signed up a while back but I’m not sure I’m scheduled to receive anything.
Thank you for this marvelous post. What a joy to savor your photography. I appreciate that you mention you use a long lens and crop. New nature enthusiasts need to understand distance is necessary.
Wonderful photos as usual Ian. I purchased 2 of your photos last year at the Craftsmen Fair and took them out to Washington State with us. There they were framed and hang in our office in the PNW.
Thanks! The PNW is a beautiful place, hope to get back out there soon.
Stunning work, Ian. Your profound dedication to finding nature each season is invaluable. Thank you.
Thank you!