There’s been lots of action on the Middleton’s and Weston’s ponds, the Eastons spent a quiet morning. I loved being back out on the water rather than down at the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen’s Fair.
Thanks to everyone who stopped by at the Fair, I love how devoted the loons’ fans are. I promised three people that I’d head out to see what the Westons were up to on my first trip. That plan was overcome by events, but I did get up to see them yesterday.
Last Monday, the 11th, John Cooley from the Loon Preservation Committee, emailed to say that Mrs. Middleton had been rescued after she was found sitting in the road near her pond. LPC dispatched one of their biologists after a passing motorist alerted them. The biologist rounded Mrs. Middleton up and checked her out. She didn’t appear to be injured. But, the intruding female loon that has been challenging her all summer was on the pond. Best guess for what happened is the intruder drove Mrs. Middleton off the pond and she was confused and landed in the road. LPC took Mrs. Middleton to a nearby pond and released her. I haven’t been to visit her but LPC has a couple reports that she’s doing well. John suspects we’ll see her show back up on her pond within a couple weeks. But, the intruder is still out there….
Tuesday morning, I headed to the Middleton’s pond to see what was up.
I quickly located dad sleeping in deep water, slowly spinning around. He must have been paddling gently with one foot. Littleton wasn’t with him, I went searching to see what he was up to. The top of his band is visible allowing me to ID him.
One of our great blue herons was watching for breakfast in one of the coves. But no Littleton. I headed to the loons’ favorite breakfast spot, still no Littleton…
I’d gone the wrong way… Littleton was at the far end of the pond. Dad woke up and set to rustling up some breakfast.
Littleton was happy to provide encouragement.
Adolescent loons are insistent when they’re hungry. They’ll nibble on their parents’ neck – often tugging hard on the parent’s feathers – until the parent comes through with a meal. I’m convinced this is why the parents leave first in the fall….
Dad and Littleton discussing breakfast….
Dad gets the hint and heads downstairs to see what’s on the menu. Tell me Littleton doesn’t look pleased with himself. All was peaceful when I had to head home.
Wednesday morning I headed back up to see what was going on. Dad was out alone foraging for his breakfast. After a time, I found Littleton preening. He was off by himself well down the pond. Chick’s down is waterproof but when they start growing adult feathers, they need to start preening. Littleton finished preening and gave a nice stretch. Here’s a good look at Littleton, you can see his feathers are coming in and his down is falling out. He’ll grow into the gray non-breeding plumage this fall and change to black & white in the spring.
Preening complete, it was time to get some breakfast. Littleton is capable of feeding himself? by now. But loon chicks are teenagers at heart and would rather have a parent provide meals.
Friday morning, I headed to check in with the Eastons.
The family was foraging together in the fog when I arrived. Dad took time to stretch.
One of the beavers had been up working late and kept an eye on me as he swam by on his way home for the day. Mom left Leaston with dad and went to check out the pond and find some breakfast for herself.
Dad and Leaston discussing what’s for breakfast.
Yup. Crayfish again.
That seemed fine with Leaston….
Dad brought several crayfish….
Leaston shows off a fancy over-the-shoulder grab for another crayfish.
All was calm on the pond when I headed in. Saturday I made it up to check on the Westons. Dad was on the pond with the chicks. Mom wasn’t around. That’s not surprising. By this time in the season, the parents will often head off to a nearby pond where they can relax for a bit.
As I was putting the boat in, I heard both chicks practicing their wails. They produced a short, sharp call that was almost exactly unlike a wail. But, they’ll learn. As I headed up the pond, I head them practicing takeoffs. They’ll probably be airborne within a week.
Soon after I caught up with the family, a loon flew over, calling. I’d expected it was mom returning for duty. But the family flattened out – the loon overhead was an intruder. The intruder circled the pond. I was looking for him high overhead. When I spotted him, he was low, well below the tree line and lining up for a landing. He passed directly overhead at about 20 feet – the best view I’ve had of a loon in flight.
Dad went to intercept the intruder. Here he’s displaying how big and tough he is, explaining the intruder would be a fool to mess with him. Dad skipped over the circling that is the usual opening move with an intruder. I suspect this intruder has been here before and dad was ready to get down to business. Sure enough, dad postured for a few seconds and then attacked the intruder! Dad got a couple good hits in with his wings before the intruder backed off.
The intruder retreated with dad in close pursuit!
Dad took a few moments to display – he found several ways to explain to the intruder that his absence was required….
Not only dancing, but yodeling as he danced…..
Still dancing…..
And still going….
Still dancing!
The intruder took the hint and backed off….
Dad gave a final wing flap that sure looked like ‘and stay out!’
The intruder had retreated but hadn’t flow off. Dad went searching for him, covering the length of the pond a couple times while the intruder hid in a cove. One of the chicks intercepted dad while he was still looking for the intruder.
“Look, I know you’re fighting for our survival and all, but I could use a snack….” First things first…. dad ignored him and continued searching. The intruder reappeared for another round…..
Dad still wasn’t having it! He explained he didn’t care for the intruder’s company and the intruder should just go away.
Once again, dad promptly followed up his threat by going after the intruder.
The intruder went wing-rowing away up the pond.
The intruder kept rowing to the far end of the pond.
After a time, the intruder decided he’d had enough for the day and flew off.
Dad rounded up the chicks and they went for second breakfasts. One chick kept busy feeding himself? while the other insisted dad provide the snacks.
And a good look at the other chick. It was getting late and time for me to head out.
On the way to the boat launch, I passed a painted turtle. This turtle is shedding the top layer of his? scutes – the plates that make up his shell. The scutes are made of keratin, like our fingernails. Adult turtles usually shed once a year. The sheds will fall off shortly and the turtle will have a nice glossy shell again for a time.
I’ll be back out again this week to see how everyone is doing.
Thank you so much for sharing your amazing journey! Truly inspiring and joyful photos! Your writing brings cheer and laughter much needed in the world.
What a joy you bring.
I look forward to your new installments. Your emails announcing new blogs always brighten my day. Thank you!
Another great read. Thank you so much for doing these posts.
I adore the photos and I love your sense of humor!!
I just love these pictures and enjoy reading your stories of the loons etc. thank you for sharing. I`ll be waiting for the next article.
Thank you so much for sharing your amazing journey! Truly inspiring and joyful photos! Your writing brings cheer and laughter much needed in the world.
Thanks!