Posts Tagged: baby loons

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

Loon Chicks at 10 Weeks

On August 29, 2023 - Loons, Uncategorized, Wildlife Photography

Monday morning there were stars above and a thick fog over the river in the valley below. I decided to risk a trip to visit the Eastons. Most of the trip to the pond was slow going through the fog. As I started to climb towards the pond, I rose back above the fog to find a beautiful morning.

Dad was foraging by himself near the boat launch, he paddled in close to hoot softly to me before returning to feasting on crayfish. Mom called a couple times while I was getting the boat in the water. This is the pond where Dad is banded, letting me tell who is who if I can see a leg.

Heading down the pond, I encounter our great blue heron doing some predawn fishing.

And our other heron posing nicely in front of the shadows.

The chicks were keeping mom busy. They’re very demanding, poking and pulling feathers whenever she got near. She didn’t spend much time on the surface, she’d dive quickly when a chick got near. I’m convinced this is why the parents leave the pond before the chicks – they just want some peace.

Mom has just handed off a crayfish that the chick swallowed quickly. The chick started to crowd mom to encourage her to find more.

Just in case mom forgot she has chicks and chicks get hungry, our chick gives her a gentle reminder that it is time to eat.

Mom takes the hint and finds another crayfish.

Mom dives again before the chick can grab some feathers.

Mom is looking good. She surfaces close in, but on the side of the boat where she’s hidden from the chicks.

One of the chicks wanders off on his own and waits for me to look the other way before practicing taking off. They’ll both be practicing, but there’s still a while before they get airborne.

Mom passing by with another crayfish for the chicks.

The crayfish isn’t going to last very long.

Giving a quick head shake after swallowing the crayfish.

Our chick wrangles the crayfish into position.

The chick is trying to swallow this one head first, the crayfish objects.

The crayfish gets a temporary reprieve as the chick spits it out. He’ll flip it around and swallow it tail first.

The chick seems to be pleased with the way that battle turned out.

Mom is inbound with another crayfish, but needs to stop and stretch.

One of our chicks takes a moment to stretch.

The chicks are still hungry and need to remind mom they’d like to be fed.

Mom comes through with one more crayfish before I had to head out.

Heading back to the boat launch, I pass dad who is lazily paddling along, seemingly enjoying the peace and quiet on this end of the pond.

I was surprised the fog hadn’t shown up on the pond, there’s usually a period where the pond gets foggy as the fog lifts from the valley. Driving back towards home, I discovered why – the fog was still sitting heavy on the river.

Back at the house, the goldfinches have discovered the thistle I left for them.

A small charm of goldfinches are enjoying the thistle as it goes to seed.

baby loons, common loons, loon chicks, loons, wildlife, wildlife photography

Loon Chicks at Five Weeks

On July 21, 2023 - Loons, Wildlife Photography

The rain let up enough for me to get out to check on all three loon families this week. And, I only got caught in a shower once.

The League of New Hampshire Craftsmen’s Fair is coming right up, August 5th through the 12th. I’ll be down there with lots of wildlife and other photos. Stop by booth 726 and say hello. All the details for the fair are here.

I visited the Middletons last night. They’re the ones that lost their chick. On the last visit, they showed signs they might be courting again. That was before the heavy rains and flooding. We were spared the worst of the flooding, but did get significant rain. A friend on the pond has kept me updated. She says the loons have had one or two intruders on the pond regularly. When I visited, the hummock where they’ve nested the last several years has been washed away, with no sign of another nesting spot. There was an intruder on the pond, with some circling and posturing but no outright fights.

This morning, the forecast was for rain and thundershowers. When I got up, there were stars visible. I headed out to check on the Westons. One of the adults and two chicks were foraging not far from the boat launch. The other adult soon came down the pond to join them. They were in shadows, I headed up the pond to see who else might be about. The rain held off until I got to the other end of the pond. I had a soggy retreat.

On Wednesday morning, the forecast was mixed and there were a couple stars between clouds when I got up. I took a chance and headed east to visit the Eastons.

Mom was foraging on her own. She paused to have a look at me on her way by.

As I continued down the pond, I found our heron posing nicely again.

He as wading and looking over his domain.

The area he was foraging in has several piles of rocks just below the surface, separated by a few feet of deeper water. As he moved between a couple of rock piles, he appeared to swim for a short distance. I’ve never seen a heron do this and couldn’t decide if he was actually swimming or just wading through water that didn’t vary in depth.

Eventually I found dad and the chicks. They were resting peacefully. For a little while. Then the chicks woke up and wanted breakfast.

Mom caught up with the family and helped deliver breakfast.

Breakfast started with a few fish. Loons swallow fish head first to deal with the spines in the fish’s fins. Our chicks have gotten good at flipping them around to line them up.

The parents soon switched over to delivering crayfish. The chicks flip them around to swallow tail first.

Dad inbound with another crayfish. This is the pair where dad is banded, letting me tell the parents apart.

And a little fish to cleanse the pallet.

And a final crayfish before I had to head out.

baby loons, common loon, loon, loon chicks, new hampshire wildlife, vermont wildlife

Checking in on the Loon Families

On July 8, 2023 - Loons, Wildlife Photography

Bad weather and too many chores kept me from checking on the loons for a time. When the weather cleared this week, I was quick to hit the water.

I’ll be down at the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen’s 90th annual Fair in Sunapee, NH, August 5th to the 13th. Stop by to have a look. All the Fair details here.

Let’s start with a few pix of the Eastons from the day after my last post. The chicks are two and three days old. This is the pair where dad is banded, allowing me to tell them apart – sometimes.

Once again, I had to pass our heron posing nicely on my way to find the loons.

Mom and dad were busy providing breakfast for the chicks.

Mom posed nicely coming out of the shadows.

A brief pause to see if the chicks might have had enough breakfast. Silly parents! They went back to foraging.

That evening, I made it over to check on the Middletons.

Only one of their chicks hatched, the parents had it out on the pond.

The next morning, I returned to visit the Eastons. They spent most of their morning feeding the chicks.

Over the last three years, the Eastons have been feeding their chicks a diet heavy on crayfish. This year, they seem to be bringing more fish to the chicks. I wonder if the change has to do with the supply of fish or are they just partial to crayfish? Here’s the first time I saw dad offer a crayfish this year.

Our heron caught my eye as I was leaving. I’m beginning to think he’s angling for his own exhibit.

I didn’t make it back out until July 5th, when I again visited the Eastons.

Mom was delivering a good sized horned pout as I arrived.

Loons don’t seem to understand the concept of ‘volume.’ There’s a limit to how big a fish a tiny chick can manage. Both chicks made a great effort to eat the horned pout, but neither could get it down.

Dad found an insect (possibly a mayfly?) floating on the surface and presented it to the chicks.

Chicks do not like mayflies. The first chick spit it out. The second check refused to take it, even with dad chasing him around a bit. It disappeared, I suspect dad ate it.

Mom wandered off on her own, spending some time preening and stretching.

After a second big stretch, she settled in and lazily cruised along by herself.

Dad got the chicks settled in and everyone took a nap.

After a few minutes, mom alerted to something and gave a series of short, sharp hoots. Dad promptly headed out to give her some assistance.

Mom and dad headed out to meet the threat. I couldn’t see what it was, they appeared to be looking at the water, not something flying overhead. They went a few hundred yards up the pond, before returning to the chicks. Mom check on the chicks and left to do her own thing again.

The chick’s defense is to flatten themselves out on the water and hope they’re not seen.

Dad kept the chicks close and kept a watchful eye.

After several minutes, something spooked dad again.

He herded the chicks into shallow water and lowered his profile. Loons can regulate how high they sit in the water by compressing their feathers to squeeze air out. I never did figure out what was spooking them.

The morning of the sixth, I headed west to check on the Westons. Their pond has steep hills on both sides of the southern end of the pond. The family spent most of the morning foraging in deep shadows along the side of the pond. I headed out to see who else was about.

The usual suspects were out and about, kingbirds, red-winged blackbirds, lots of warblers seen not heard. But the best find was a trio of tree swallow fledglings and their parents feeding them.

The fledglings get excited when a parent approaches. They’ll start chattering, fluttering their wings, and, of course, opening their mouths to be ready.

The parents make sure the food is well into the chick’s mouths.

I managed to get a red-winged blackbird catching an insect in flight.

Eventually, the loons came out of the shadows to allow a few photos.

One last stretch as I was leaving the pond.

Yesterday, I visited the Middletons. There’s sad news, they’ve been fighting with an intruder or two most days. Their chick has disappeared. We don’t know what happened to it, but the intruders are suspects. As well as a host of other dangers from fish and snapping turtles to otters and eagles.

I found them in the middle of the pond, one still sleeping in, the other out foraging before returning to preen and stretch. They both settled in for naps, I went looking to see what I could find.

There were several warbling vireos foraging relatively low. Vireos usually stay high up in the trees, I hear them far more often than see them.

There were several red-winged blackbirds gleaning insects in the brush along the pond. The vireos were low enough to harass the blackbirds, the first time I’ve seen that interaction.

A pair of northern flickers were working the trees, mom was shy, but dad popped into the open a couple of times.

After their nap, the loons swam down to the cove where I’ve found them mating several times in the past. They might have been courting. They explored the beaches were they mate, hooting softly to each other. Then they did a brief courtship display, swimming swiftly side by side and diving together. They didn’t mate, but I’m hopeful they’ll try again.

They foraged for a time in the cove. This one almost looks like she’s taking time to smell the flowers.

After foraging, they headed out to the middle of the pond to preen and stretch.

The weather kept me in this morning, I’ll be back out soon. Our second brood of bluebirds will fledge in the next couple days. They’re up flapping their wings and looking out the window.

baby loons, birding, common loons, loon, loon chicks, loonlet, new hampshire wildlife, vermont wildlife

The Eastons Have Two Chicks

On June 20, 2023 - Loons, Wildlife Photography

The last three years, the Eastons have hatched their chicks the third Friday and Saturday of June. I’d visited last Friday without any sign of chicks. Monday’s forecast suggested a chance I’d not get rained on. I headed out to visit the Eastons in a thick fog.

The fog got even thicker when I arrived at the pond. Our heron – that I claim poses nicely for me twice a year – was posing nicely.

He was lackadaisically foraging from his perch. But he looked good doing it!

After a time, he headed out on whatever errands get great blue heron out and about. About five minutes after he left, our osprey nabbed a nice fish about five feet from the heron’s perch.

I saw and watched the loon on the nest for some time – without the weather improving. The last three years, the male has spent most of the time on the nest in the last few days before the chicks arrived, so I’m guessing this is dad. I couldn’t decide if he was hiding a chick under his wing. At one point, he stood up and I could see one egg, but still couldn’t decide if there was a chick.

While I waited to see if I could catch a nest exchange, the resident family of geese paraded by. It may look like a lot of goslings, but from the amount of poop on the boat launch, I was expecting another 25,000 or so geese. I I had to head out before finding out if our first loon chick had hatched. As I got back to the paved road to head home, the sun broke out.

The weather improved throughout the day, I went to visit the Middletons in the evening. Our off duty parent was preening for some time before giving a series of four stretches.

Nicely posed, even looking at the camera!

And one more before heading back to the nest to see if it was time for shift change.

I think the loon we found on the nest the last time was on the nest again. Once again, as the off duty loon approached, the on duty loon started doing some nest improvements.

The off duty loon made several trips to the nest to discuss things during the evening. I took it that he? wanted to take over nest duty. Could there be some status attached to being the parent on duty when the chicks hatch? Or was he? just bored of floating around on his own?

He? eventually gave up., left the cove with the nest and headed well down the pond.

A big snapping turtle came crashing through the marsh and was drifting along the surface near the nest. I watched for a reaction from the loon on the nest, but didn’t see one. The off duty loon was probably 750′ away from the nest. He? returned a a good clip, headed for the turtle.

Kind of hard to see, but that’s the top of the turtle underwater in the upper right, with the loon in the center. There was a bit of thrashing around – with all the action underwater. Eventually, the loon surfaced and kept dipping his? head underwater, apparently to make sure the turtle had taken the hint. Loons must have incredible eyesight. I’m always amazed at how far out they can tell the difference between a harmless osprey and a threat from a hawk or eagle. I was amazed the loon could spot the turtle.

Once again, I headed home not knowing if the first chick had hatched.

The forecast for this morning was for the fog to burn off and the morning to be partly cloudy. Low, heavy clouds greeted me when I got up, with some breaks to the north. I decided to risk it and headed back to see the Eastons.

There’s an island blocking the view of the nest from the boat launch. As I put in, the loons raised a ruckus, but I couldn’t see what was going on. As I rounded the island, I could see one loon in the water near the nest, and the second on just climbing off the nest. I couldn’t see the chicks, but one adult had a wing up inviting a chick aboard.

Dad is a much more attentive parent than mom, assuming we have the same female from the past few years. Dad is also banded, letting me tell them apart when I can see a leg. Dad rounded up
both chicks and got them aboard. Mom decided it would be a good time for her to go out and get her own breakfast. After about 15 minutes, dad started calling, it sure looked like he was reminding her that she needed to get to work.

Mom soon returned and started foraging for the chicks. Lots of fingerling fish this morning.

The chicks spent a fair bit of their morning going at each other while on dad’s back. Loon chicks are competitors, there’s no family loyalty. If one fails to thrive, the parents will abandon it and put their work into the stronger chick. This squabble ended with mom delivering another fish. I’m not sure if this was an actual squabble between the chicks or if they’re just figuring out what is edible and what isn’t. Both tried a number of dad’s feathers, deciding they weren’t very tasty.

Mom goes for the handoff! There’s a fumble! The chick didn’t manage to hang onto the fish. Mom had to catch it and offer it to the chick again.

The sun finally broke through and the chicks cooperated by looking cute.

Back to squabbling! Why does it look like dad is thinking it will be a long summer?

One of the chicks hopped off dad’s back and swam around him for a few minutes. Dad is inviting him back aboard.

Getting aboard is a big job for little loons.

When I went down the pond to retrieve the nesting sign, our heron was back, trying to convince me he was walking on water.

I’ll try to keep up with all three families through the summer. If you know someone who might be interested in following along, please share my blog with them.

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

Loon Chicks at 11 Weeks

On September 10, 2022 - Loons, Wildlife Photography

This pair of loon chicks is 11 weeks old this weekend. There was thick fog on the hill this morning when I checked the weather. Hoping the loons would be above the fog, I headed out. We went from fog to haze before a beautiful day broke out. The chicks’ big project continues to be to learn to fly.

I’ll be down at the Capital Arts Festival in Concord, NH September 24 & 25 with lots of wildlife photos and note cards. Come by and say hello. The event is free, much of the activity is on Main Street. You can find the details here.

Our loon family was spread out across the pond, sleeping in when I arrived. A few minutes before the sun reached the pond, the pack of coyotes that lives to the west convened to discuss – loudly – the issues of the day. That got one of our adults stirring and starting the day with a big stretch.

Our chicks were about half a mile apart at dawn, this one swam by on the way to tracking down a parent to get some breakfast. The chicks can pretty much feed themselves these days, but don’t miss an opportunity to have a meal served up for them.

Our parent obliged and went to work catching crayfish. This is the pond with the banded male. I wasn’t able to get a good look at either adult’s leg this morning, so I couldn’t tell who was whom.

As soon as the chick swallowed the meal, it started pestering the adult to be fed again. The chicks will nibble at the parents, around the neck if they can reach. Both parents were quick to dive when the chicks approached this morning.

Our adult inbound with another crayfish for the chick. Several times, our adult surfaced with food while the chick was diving. Many times, the adult swallowed the food itself.

After eating the crayfish, the chick went right back to nibbling the parent.

After a time, they took a break to preen.

While preening, our adult took a shower. Loons will dip their wings rapidly in the water to kick up a spray.

Preening is usually followed by a good stretch.

Our parent threw off some of the water from the shower.

After preening, it was time to start on today’s lesson. There wasn’t a wind for the chick to try to takeoff into. I got lucky when the first attempt went across my bow. Our chick is just starting its run.

Picking up speed, working the wings for all their worth!

Ohhh! Not this time! Our chick settles back into the water.

Our chick is determined to make this work…. here’s a second attempt – with an even better track for photos.

Once again, technically airborne, but the chick’s wings aren’t yet providing enough lift to take off.

The chick continued running and flapping….

Not today, little guy. It will probably be the better part of two weeks before the chicks can actually take off. They’ll keep trying until they succeed.

baby loons, birding, birds, loon chicks, loons, new hampshire wildlife, vermont wildlife

Another Visit With The Loons

On September 4, 2022 - Loons, Wildlife Photography

This morning provided better weather for visiting the loons than Friday. I headed out before dawn to see what they were up to. The chicks were ten weeks old this weekend. They’re mostly foraging for themselves now, they can make prolonged dives. But they’re still happy to have their parents rustle up a meal for them.

The morning started with both chicks trying to fly. They’re not yet ready. They give a good try, running across the water trying to gain enough speed to lift off. They still need to grow their flight feathers a bit more before they can takeoff. Soon. Very soon….

Here’s our other chick giving flying a try.

Great form, just not enough lift to get him airborne.

Most attempts to take off are followed by a stretch.

Once again, breakfast was primarily crayfish. I think this is dad inbound with one for the chicks.

Here’s another crayfish for one of the chicks.

The chicks have gotten very good at taking the handoff from their parents, they rarely fumble the food, something they did often when younger.

After feeding, the chicks took a quick nap.

One of our chicks doing a foot wave. I’m not sure why they do this. I’ve heard it suggested that it is to cool their legs and feet. But, water is a better conductor for heat, so I’m skeptical of that explanation. I wonder if it is just a way to stretch their legs.

And each chick gave a good stretch after waking up.

A stretch with a shake of the head.

Know an organization in need of programs? I’ve got several PowerPoint shows, one on the surviving steam locomotives in the US, visiting the puffins on Machias Seal Island, one on getting started with wildlife photography and one on loons. For educators, I’ve got a program about career opportunities in photography. Email for more info.

baby loons, birds, loon, loon chicks, new hampshire wildlife, vermont wildlife, wildlife

Loon Chicks Now Eight Weeks Old

On August 21, 2022 - Loons, Wildlife Photography

Thanks to everyone who stopped by at the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen’s Fair. Nice to know people are actually reading the blog. My next show is the Capital Arts Fest, September 24 & 25 in Concord, NH.

Yesterday, I got a chance to check up on the Eastons. The chicks are now eight weeks old and seem to be doing well. They’re big – nearly as big as their parents. Their feathers have grown in and their bills have elongated. They’re diving and foraging for themselves, but still expect their parents to feed them. They’re getting independent, for much of the morning the family was spread out over something like a third of a mile.

Other bird families have fledged their chicks as well. There have been kingbirds around all season, I haven’t been able to decide if we have two or three pairs. When I visited yesterday, there were something like 15 kingfishers out and about, making me suspect we had three nests.

The morning started out with a beaver swimming by the family. The chicks were curious and swam to intercept the beaver. The beaver passed just a couple feet in front of them before circling back and slapping. Both parents rapidly arrived on scene. The parents keep a good eye out under water as the family retreated.

Their path took them close to this branch sticking out of the water. Both chicks explored it and found things to eat, probably insects or larvae.

Mom was serving up delicate little morsels while dad went off to forage. When dad returned, he brought back this larger fish, the first of several fish he’d serve up throughout the morning.

The chicks have mastered the handoff, I didn’t see them fumble with any food offered. Note the size of the chick.

A pair of osprey have been regular visitors all season. They were joined by at least one, probably two (maybe even three) chicks. They appeared one at a time, but very shortly after this one headed out of sight, a second one appeared.

Osprey will often hover over the pond to let them watch for fish below. This one hovered a few seconds before diving.

The dive took the osprey completely under water, before it resurfaced.

Success! He’s nabbed what looks like a catfish.

The loons pretty much ignore the osprey while they’re overhead. Dad continued feeding the chicks. This looks like a white sucker for the next course.

With their feathers grown in, the chicks need to do a lot of preening. Lots of contortions are required to maintain all those hard to reach places.

The chicks are practicing adulting. They made a few runs over the water learning how to take off. Their wings aren’t yet strong enough to lift them, but soon…. I thought this chick was attempting a takeoff. As he opened up the range, I lowered the camera. He promptly dove and came up doing the penguin dance – a skill he’s going to need to take or defend a territory.

Coming towards the end of his run wing rowing, he made a sharp right turn.

After practicing the penguin dance, a wing stretch was required.

Not to be outdone, the sibling gave a nice stretch.

As I headed home for the morning, I passed several great blue herons, the pair on the pond must have raised a good brood.

I’ll get out to check on our other families as promptly as I can, stay tuned!

baby loons, loon chicks, loons, new hampshire wildlife, vermont wildlife, wildlife photography

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