Posts Tagged: birds

Looking Back at the Herons

On November 1, 2024 - Herons, Wildlife Photography

Great blue herons are pretty common around the Upper Valley. All three of the loons’ ponds host great blues each year. Over the years, I’ve gotten a number of good shots of them. I’m pondering a ‘Heronscapes’ exhibit and have been digging through the archives to see what I’ve got. Let’s take a look.

The Hartland, VT, Public Library will host me to present my slideshow, An Uncommon Look at the Common Loon, this Wednesday, November 6 at 6 p.m. Free and everyone welcome. My print exhibit of loons is hanging in the Library through the end of November.

And my 2025 calendar is available:

The calendars are large – 9″x12″ with 13 of my favorite wildlife images. They’re $25 and $3 shipping per order. You can get one on my site: https://www.ianclark.com/.

On to the herons.

Most of the time, we spot great blue herons foraging along the shore of a river or pond. They can stand incredibly still before striking with lighting speed. They don’t seem fussy about prey. They’ll grab fish, crayfish, frogs, small birds and mammals. After we take the hay in our field, we get a pair of herons that show up to hunt the mice and voles. This heron has nabbed a crayfish.

Foraging in shallow water on the Weston’s Pond.

Flying past the reeds on the Easton’s Pond.

Herons will perch in trees overlooking the water. This probably gives protection from many of their predators.

Herons are smart enough to know where the sun will first hit their territory in the morning. On chilly mornings, they’re often perched to catch the earliest light.

Herons nest in rookeries, with nests high in trees. Most of the nests in this rookery were 25-30 feet above the ground. I’ve seen reports that they’ll build as high as 100 feet high.

A clutch is usually between three and six eggs. They grow into funny looking chicks. I suspect they were designed by Jim Henson.

Foraging in the early morning light on the Eastons’ Pond. I often joke that the herons on the Eastons’ Pond are skittish, but pose nicely twice a year. This year they outdid themselves, giving me extra opportunities.

Here’s one of the herons on the Eastons’ Pond ignoring the early morning light. But, this was July 2 and we weren’t chilly.

Another early morning shot on the Eastons’ Pond.

Wading in shallow water as the sun rises.

This morning wasn’t an easy one for our heron to find breakfast. He? moved around to several spots before I saw him catch a meal.

Many of my favorite shots are actually from before sun up. I love the muted light and fog.

I almost passed on this shot. I was much closer to the heron when I noticed him. I turned the kayak around and headed back up pond to get far enough back for some scenery. Fortunately, the bird waited while I moved and sat waiting for the water to quiet again.

One of our herons stretching as the sun begins to warm the pond.

Waiting for the sun on a chilly October morning.

And my favorite heron shot from this year.

birds, great blue heron, herons

We Say Goodbye to the Loons

On October 9, 2024 - Loons, Wildlife Photography

Loon season in the Upper Valley is coming to a close. The Middletons and Westons decamped about two weeks ago. The Easton chicks hatched later, they’re still on their pond with mom. For now.

I’m packing up for the Stowe Foliage Arts Festival this weekend, October 11-13. I’ll have note cards, my 2025 wildlife calendar and prints big and small. Come on out and have a look. All the details about the Festival here: https://stoweartsfest.com/.

On November 6, I’ll be a the Hartland, VT, Public Library at 6 pm. I’ll also have a print exhibit of some of my favorite loon photos hanging in the Hartland Library during November.

Sunday (10/6), I headed up to visit with the Eastons. Fall has arrived in force – it was 37° and foggy when I launched.

I found one of the great blue herons before I found the loons. The heron circled this little island as he walked, constantly putting the brush between us. While I was waiting for enough light for the shot and him to get into position, I heard – but couldn’t see -one of the loon chicks pass me in the fog.

As the fog lifted, the loons came into view. The chicks have grown into their winter plumage. One was foraging on his? own, the other was pestering mom for food.

Taking a break from chasing mom to stretch.

The chicks together. I’ve seen the behavior of the one on the right several times. I’m not sure exactly what they’re doing. My guess is clearing their throat.

After the wind came up, both chicks gave a go at flying. They both took short runs where they were still unable to get their bellies out of the water.

Another attempt to fly. The chicks took a only of couple runs. I stayed the morning hoping to see more. As I left the pond, I realized I’d never been out on their pond at noon before.

I returned to the pond yesterday (Tuesday 10/8) . Monday’s rain finished the color, most of the trees were bare. One of the herons was huddled against the cold on his island. The herons seem to know where the sun will hit the pond first. On chilly mornings, they’ll be in position to be in the sun as it rises.

After the fog lifted, mom took off. She circled the pond several times before heading over the hills. Any time now, she’ll leave for the fall. The chicks will follow several days later. Shortly after she left, the chicks got to work on their flying lessons. Here’s a good run – technically he’s airborne. He didn’t make it up – this time.

This wasn’t the time. He settled back on the water and stretched.

Let’s try this again…. The chick taxied downwind and tried another run.

Looking good! Feet are clear of the water, there’s air under him!

He’s up! He flew for something like a third of a mile. He made a nice turn and returned to the pond with a smooth landing. The second chick followed with a flight of his own shortly after.

With the chicks flying, they’ll be moving on soon. I won’t be able to get back to their pond until midweek next week. I’ll be surprised if their still there. I said goodbye to the chicks and wished them well.

New England’s loons mostly winter in the Atlantic between Cape Cod and Maine. Of course, there are always a few adventurers and those that didn’t read the manual who wander further. The youngsters will spend roughly three to five years either at sea or in ponds without a territorial pair before seeking their own territories and mates.

Now I’m off to find some new photo opportunities.

birds, common loons, loon chicks, loons

The Easton Chicks Growing Up

On October 4, 2024 - Loons, Wildlife Photography

The Easton chicks are still on their pond and are finishing their lessons on how to be loons. The Middletons and Westons seem to have departed for the season.

Tomorrow – Saturday October 5 – I’ll be giving my slideshow, An Uncommon Look at the Common Loon at the Richford, VT, Town Hall at 10 am. On November 6, I’ll be a the Hartland, VT, Public Library at 6 pm. I’ll also have a print exhibit of some of my favorite loon photos hanging in the Hartland Library during November.

And next weekend I’ll be up at the Stowe Foliage Arts Festival October 11-13 with note cards, calendars and prints. Come on out and have a look. All the details about the Festival here: https://stoweartsfest.com/.

I made it up to visit the Eastons on the 24th. Mom and both chicks were out and about. The chicks should be able to feed themselves by now, but are still willing to pester their parents for food.

The loons were off doing loon things when I arrived. I spent a time just enjoying being out on the pond.

After a bit, one of the chicks showed up, foraging on his own before stretching.

The other chick was chasing and pestering mom to be fed. Mom came up with a nice horned pout. It took the chick a bit of work to get it down.

And before the chick has fully swallowed the fish, he? returned to pestering mom for more.

It wasn’t long before mom scored another good sized horned pout. Which the chick put away without a problem.

Mom dove and put some space between her and the chick – probably to get a moment’s peace.

A good look at the chicks. They’ve lost all their down and are dressed in their winter plumage.

Mom was keeping her distance, so one of the chicks tried to get the other to come up with a meal. No dice. I stuck around until the wind came up and was a little surprised that neither chick showed interest in attempting to fly.

On the first, I made it back to check in with them again. Fall has arrived.

The colors along the pond were just about peak.

The chicks are now 12-weeks-old. One was foraging for himself without the rest of the family in sight.

The other chick was begging from mom. Dad wasn’t to be found, he may have left for the season. After a little bit, mom took time to stretch.

Mom was traveling a good distance with every dive, possibly to try to lose the chick and make him forage on his own. The chick would head for mom when she surfaced, she usually dove before he got close. They soon got far enough away from me that I looked for other critters to photograph.

I hadn’t seen the herons on my last couple trips and guessed they’d moved on. But I found one hunting in the fog. I’m not sure if this was one of the residents or someone stopping by on his way elsewhere. But, he? posed nicely through the morning, so I was glad to see him.

Striking out finding breakfast in the first spot, he moved to again pose nicely.

Once again, I waited for the wind to come up to see if the chicks would attempt to fly. Having a brisk wind increases the lift their wings generate. They’ll always take off into the wind. Mom swam downwind of the chicks, turned into the wind and took off. She seemed to demonstrate how to take off for the chicks. It took her much longer than usual to gain height. She ran across the water for longer than usual and she seemed slower than usual. It sure looked like a lesson on how to take off.

Still running across the water with the chicks watching.

The demonstration seemed to work. About 30 seconds after mom took off, the first of the chicks stretched and turned into the wind.

Clear the runway! The chick made a run trying to take off. He wasn’t able to get high enough out of the water to get his legs under him to let him run across the water. This was as high as he got. This time.

When the chicks decide to end their takeoff attempt, they slow down by turning and skidding across the water – sort of like a skier making a snowplow stop.

Soon after, the second chick made an attempt to take off.

Not going to happen today little guy…. Soon, very soon……

After the chicks make a good effort they always seem to looked pleased with themselves.

And a good stretch and fluff to get the feathers back in place.

They were still trying to take off as I left. I suspect they’ve got just a few days before they get airborne. This late in the season, I suspect they’ll depart their pond shortly after successfully flying. I’m going to try to get back once more, but I won’t be surprised if they’ve headed out before I return. This may be the last post with this year’s chicks.

And a shoutout to everyone working to protect the loons. They have lots of great info about loons online. A few sites to check out:

The Loon Preservation Committee works to protect and study loons in New Hampshire. In Vermont the Vermont Center for Ecostudies does work with loons and other wildlife. The Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation works in the Adirondacks. And The Loon Project works in the Upper Midwest.

birds, birds in flight, common loons, loons

Loon Update

On September 22, 2024 - Loons, Wildlife Photography

I had a chance to check in with the Eastons and Middletons over the last week. Let’s see what they’re up to.

I’ll be up at the Stowe Foliage Arts Festival October 11-13 with note cards, calendars and prints. Come on out and have a look. All the details about the Festival here: https://stoweartsfest.com/.

I’ll be giving my slideshow, An Uncommon Look at the Common Loon a couple times in the near future. First is at 10 a.m. October 5 at the Richford, VT, Town Hall. And again at 6 p.m. on November 6 at the Hartland, VT, Library.

This week, the folks behind the Lake Fairlee loon cam, Doug Tift, Sean Brown and Eric Hanson, gave a great presentation on the success of the cam. The cam is offline for the season, but they’ll have it back up in the spring. They’ve got a collection of highlights from this past season up at https://www.youtube.com/@LakeFairleeAssociation/playlists. They’ve captured lots of great video of various behaviors and interactions with the other critters on the ponds.

September 17 was a beautiful day above the valley fog. The Eastons were enjoying a light mist when I arrived. Mom and the chicks were at the south end of the pond, with the chicks hounding her to be fed. Dad took the morning off and drifted leisurely alone at the north end of the pond.

Dad was cruising the north end of the pond, occasionally diving to forage.

The colors are coming on. With the late hatch for these chicks, we’ve probably got another couple weeks before any of them move on for the season.

Dad is beginning to change into his winter plumage, see the gray feathers around the base of his bill. The lump under his bill is likely a fibroma – a benign tumor, probably the result of an abscess from getting poked with something sharp – like a fish spine or fish hook. He’s had it for some time and it doesn’t seem to bother.

Down the other end of the pond, the chicks were chasing mom, trying to get her to feed them. They’re old enough to forage on their own, but still want the parents to feed them. When the chicks are this big, it must be exhausting for the parents. The chicks are big enough to keep up with the adults and will be on them within a couple seconds of their surfacing. And they don’t stop….

Another shot of a chick encouraging mom to feed him.

On the 20th, I made it over to the Middleton’s pond. Friends on the pond said they hadn’t seen the Middletons for a week. I spent a couple of hours on the pond without finding them, they’ve moved on. They’ve left a little earlier than in previous years. Most of New England’s loons will winter in the Atlantic between Cape Cod and Maine. Of course, they don’t all read the manual and there will be some that go off to other places. They may well stop on a larger pond to the south or east of home before continuing to the Atlantic. This time of year, it is common to find ‘rafts’ or ‘asylums’ of loons gathering on ponds. Without having to worry about chicks, they’re more social.

There was a small flock of geese resting in the morning fog.

And a double-crested cormorant has stopped on the pond. After feeding, he? perched on a submerged log.

The Loon Preservation Committee banded the Middleton adults this year. It will be interesting to see if they both come back in the spring. I’ve been following the loons on the pond since 2012. From his behavior, I think we’ve had the same male the whole time. We lost the original female in a fight with a goose in 2017. Let’s hope the Middletons have safe travels and reunite in the spring.

birds, loon chicks, loons

Catching Up With The Loon Familes

On August 31, 2024 - Loons, Wildlife Photography

It was too long between trips to check on the three loon families. Work, the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen’s Fair and rain kept me off the water. Things improved a week ago, and I’ve had a chance to visit all three families. All our chicks are doing well.

I’ll be up at the Laudholm Nature Crafts Festival in Wells, ME, September 7 & 8 with lots of note cards, calendars and prints. All the details are on their site: https://wellsreserve.org/event/52783/36th-laudholm-nature-crafts-festival.

The next weekend, September 13-15, I’ll be in Tarrytown, NY, at the Fall Crafts at Lyndhurst Festival. Details for this one are here: https://www.artrider.com/fall-crafts-at-lyndhurst-2024.

And, for those parents who get picked to provide photos of student athletes, I’ll be teaching a workshop at the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester, NH, on September 28. The workshop is for anyone who wants to get better photos of kids’ sports from tee ball to varsity. It is designed for using cameras with interchangeable lenses, and may not be helpful if you’re using your phone. All the details are on the Museum’s site https://currier.org/class/photography-in-motion-with-ian-clark/.

OK, on to the birds…. A week ago Friday, I headed out to visit the Eastons. Their pond is away from the Connecticut River and slightly higher in elevation. It was clear here on the hill, with fog in the valley. When I crossed the River, it was foggy enough that I couldn’t see the water from the bridge. The Eastons were above the worst of it.

Before I found the loons, I passed the resident herons. Mornings are getting chilly again, this heron is fluffed up to keep warm while waiting for the sun to rise.

The other great blue heron had the camo working.

Our loons were well down the pond. The parents were just finishing up feeding the now four-week-old chicks. The chicks floated off to nap and the parents got themselves some breakfast in the shallows.

The osprey showed up, hunting for breakfast. He? had to work at it, making several dives that came up empty. While he was hunting, a small hawk appeared and repeatedly dove at him. The hawk didn’t seem to make much of an impression on him, he continued about his business. The hawk stayed far enough away that I couldn’t get any photos.

After diving, osprey shake like a dog to dry off.

After a short nap, the chicks were back up and about. And hungry. They can forage on their own now, but still need help from their parents.

Mom soon came to their aid with a horned pout.

While mom was feeding the chicks, dad took a few minutes to preen and stretch.

Heading back to join the family, he cruised by to check me out.

The osprey has spotted a trout below….. Success this time!

The loons led the chicks into the shallow water and supervised while they foraged on their own.

The chicks are still learning what is good to eat. And what’s not. This chick tried a damselfly. Too much wing and not enough breast…..

The next morning, the fog in the valley didn’t seem to be as thick, so I headed out to visit the Middletons.

I was wrong. On the pond, the fog was very thick and it was tough to find the loons. After some searching, I found one adult and both chicks. The adult was feeding the chicks – but no where near as much or as often as the chicks wanted. The adult would stand off from the chicks, apparently encouraging them to forage for themselves.

Eventually the chicks got so hungry they started looking for food for themselves. This chick stopped to rip this water lily apart – hey, it had it coming! There was probably an insect inside that the chick was after.

The next morning, I learned my lesson and went back to visit the Eastons. I managed to paddle past the loons on my way down the pond. I was well down the pond when dad when cruising by on a mission.

An eagle had perched overlooking the pond. Dad went to work explaining that this was not an eagle-inclusive community and the eagle should buzz off.

Turning around, I soon found mom with the chicks.

Mom took a few seconds to preen. Dad continued to wail at the eagle…

Mom has spotted something….. She chased a wood duck out of the nearby brush.

Mom was letting the chicks roam far from her as she foraged. Until dad changed his call.

Just after dad’s call changed, the eagle appeared overhead. Mom herded the chicks close to my boat. This behavior is apparently fairly common with lots of different people experiencing it. Apparently the loons figure the eagle won’t want to tangle with people. I was happy to babysit and couldn’t resist getting a pic as they got close.

If you’re on a pond and this happens, just put your paddle down and sit. Let the loons do what they need to do without interfering.

The eagle flew off without bothering the loons. I was not as convinced that dad had scared him off as dad was.

With the threat gone, peace returned to the pond.

Thursday, there was just a hint of fog in the valley, so I ventured up to see the Westons. And found the only patch of thick fog in the area. It was 48° with a chilly wind. There was one adult and the chick on the pond.

The chick is able to forage for itself at this point, but still preferred to pester the parent to be fed.

After a time, another loon flew in. The loon on the pond approached and displayed how big he? was. The new loon swam off to the other side of the pond and the home team returned to the chick. I’m not sure if this was an intruder or the mate.

The fog refused to lift and the wind was getting unpleasant, so I headed in.

On the way to the boat launch, I found four does playing in the shallow water. They were kicking up their heels and splashing and chasing each other. The photos weren’t any good because I was shooting through the fog, but it was fun to watch.

Not sure how soon I can get out again, but want to get back when I can. The Weston and Middleton chicks should be learning to fly by now, always fun to watch them as they try.

birds, loon chicks, 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

Catching Up with the Usual Suspects

On May 6, 2024 - Loons, Wildlife Photography

I’ve been able to get out a few times to visit two of the loons’ ponds. The loons are out and about, along with the full cast of the usual suspects.

The Vermont Institute of Natural Science in Quechee is hosting my exhibit of loon prints through the end of July. There will be a reception where I show my slideshow, An Uncommon Look at the Common Loon, on Saturday, May 11 at 3 p.m. There are more details at https://vinsweb.org/event/artist-exhibition-ian-clark/ and https://www.facebook.com/events/454025283855444.

And, I’ll be presenting An Uncommon Loon again at the Lakes Region Art Association Gallery in Laconia, NH at 6 p.m. on May 20. The talk hasn’t been posted on their site yet, but details about the Association are at https://lraanh.org/.

Do you have critters around? While I do a lot of scouting on my own, tips for finding critters are always appreciated. I’m always looking for mammals, if you’ve got bobcats, coyotes, fishers or bears that show up more than once, I’d love a chance to photograph them. I’m also looking for owls, woodpecker nests and scarlet tanagers along with rarer species that may not visit feeders regularly. Places where I can come and go early in the morning or late in the evening without disturbing you or the critters are best.

And now, the critters. Here’s a skunk that doesn’t seem to appreciate my trail camera.

Last Friday, I caught up with some volunteers from the Loon Preservation Committee (LPC)
as they deployed their loon nesting platform on Post Pond in Lyme, NH.

Nesting platforms have been a huge success in helping restore the loon population. The LPC put out their first platform in 1977. Since then LPC volunteers and staff have floated loon nesting rafts on New Hampshire lakes 1,685 times – not including this year. Nesting loon pairs have used these rafts 917 times, and hatched 976 chicks on the platforms – an incredible one in four chicks hatched in New Hampshire. You can learn more about LPC at www.loon.org – and check out their loon cam watching a nest in the Lakes Region at https://loon.org/looncam/. Sign up for their newsletter to keep up with New Hampshire’s loons. Vermonter’s loons get assistance from the Vermont Center for Ecostudies, check out their site, https://vtecostudies.org/

Volunteers Jim Mason (orange kayak), his wife Dayle Mason and Wayne Pushee (blue kayak) towing the loon nesting platform. Loons on Post Pond have used the platform for several years.

The platform ready for the loons to move in.

On April 23, I made it out to check in with the Westons. (For new readers, to give the loons some privacy, I named the loons on the pond to my east the Eastons. The loons to my west are the Westons, and the pond in the middle hosts the Middletons.)

Getting ready for the day, both loons did some quick preening, ending with a stretch and a shake of the head.

The Canada geese have – mostly – claimed their nesting sites and many of the females are sitting on their nests. This brings some peace and quiet to the pond. Here’s one of our geese heading out for the morning.

This pond hosts at least three pair of beaver. This fellow popped up in close to my boat.

He was too close for me to get a good photo of his tail slap.

But, I got a great look at his back feet as he dove. They’re HUGE!

The pond also hosts a variety of ducks. Here’s Mr. Mallard posing nicely.

Female red-winged blackbirds have returned. Males have returned about three weeks ago to stake out territories to be ready for the ladies. This was the first female I saw this year. Her appearance had the males singing and displaying with gusto. The females are perfectly colored to blend into the reeds while they sit on the nest, they don’t have to be flashy like the males.

On my way out, the loons were doing a thorough preening. They usually finish with a wing stretch. I waited a few minutes and was rewarded when they both stretched.

There was another mallard drake posing by the boat launch when I arrived. As I was putting my gear away, an immature eagle dove on him and his mate. The both dove and lived to quack another day.

Last Friday, I visited the Middletons. They were busy foraging, apparently having to work for dinner. They were making long dives and covering lots of territory underwater. I went to see who else might be around the pond.

There was a large number of painted turtles basking around the pond.

This painted turtle seems to be giving me some attitude…..

There was a small flock of warblers foraging for insects high in the trees. I tried to tell them that the black flies were available at my eye level, but they didn’t seem interested. This is a yellow-rumped warbler, known as a ‘butter butt’ to birders.

And this explains how they got their name.

There were several pine warblers in the flock. I’ve yet to get a good photo of one. They tend to forage deep in the brush, making it hard to get an unobstructed view of them. It turns out one of my skills is photographing branches on which pine warblers were very recently perched. (My other talent is stalking heron-shaped sticks.)

This time I got lucky enough to actually get the bird before it flew. Looks like I’ll have to keep trying…..

The Middletons finished dinner and cruised not far from the boat launch as I headed in. Once again, one beached and called – it looked like the female presenting, but the other loon did not respond. It is still a couple weeks early for them to be mating. I didn’t get a shot of her before she returned to the water, but here she is checking me out.

Saturday morning found me visiting the Westons once again. The weather went south rapidly and I left when it started raining.

The loons were busy preening when I caught up with them, both ended with a big stretch.

Eastern kingbirds were out in large numbers. They’re insect hunters – they love dragonflies in season. They perch just about eye level on the edge of the pond and dart out to nab insects passing by.

Another kingbird perched along the side of the pond.

One of the loons stretching a leg. This gives a great look at how far back their legs are and the size of the foot.

Of course, I was willing to pause in the rain to get one last nice wing stretch….

beaver, birding, birds, canada goose, loon, new hampshire wildlife, vermont wildlife

Spring Has Arrived

On April 18, 2024 - Loons, Photography, Wildlife Photography

After several false starts, it looks like spring has arrived to stay in the Upper Valley. Of course, I’m not taking the snow tires off until the second week of May.

Along with the ice going out, our summer residents are arriving back in droves. I spotted six loons on the Middleton’s pond on March 31. By the time I put the boat in the next day, they’d moved on. My bet is they’d been scouting the territory to see which ponds were open and just stopped for a rest and a meal before heading back south. But there were other critters out and about.

One of the resident osprey had a good perch overlooking the pond.

A bald eagle hauled several sticks into a tall pine that looks over the shore. I’m not sure what he? was up to – too late for this year’s nest and seems early to be starting on next year’s. When I check again yesterday, there didn’t seem to be any progress on a nest.

My next trip took me to the Weston’s pond last Sunday. A friend on the pond told me that one loon had arrived back on the April 9. There was still only one loon on the pond.

The first loon back on the Weston’s pond. He? spent the morning cruising lazily, occasionally foraging.

Most of the action on the pond was from the Canada geese. They’re sorting out territories. This requires lots of honking, hissing and wrestling. Here’s another coming to join the fray.

Just as the tail feathers touch the water…..

Eastern Phoebe — There were several eastern phoebes hunting along the edge of the pond and lots of tree swallows swooping over the pond.

I got back to the Weston’s pond on Tuesday for a brisk paddle – it was 39°F when I put the boat in. We still had only one loon and the geese were causing a ruckus.

There was one hummock just off shore that was a treasured spot. It changed hands several times during the morning. The goose on the right has just abandoned it at the suggestion of the goose in the middle.

The fight wasn’t settled and moved out into the water. The goose being chased eventually conceded and moved off down the pond.

Male red-winged blackbirds are back and staking out territories. I haven’t seen a female yet, they usually wait a while after the males head north.

Wednesday morning found me back on the Middleton’s pond. And missing the balmy day before. It was a chilly 28°F as I pushed through a skim of ice to get on the pond. As soon as I cleared the ice, there were trout feeding at the surface. The osprey both made quick work of finding breakfast. And, there were loons.

The loons slept in a bit before waking to face the day. They spent some time preening, ending with a nice stretch.. Then decided the day could wait and went back to sleep.

There were lots of ducks of several sorts around the lake. And what seemed an endless of mergansers suddenly flying around. Here’s a pair of ring-necked ducks, a nice catch.

A pair of mallard drakes were swimming along the shore when something startled them. They took a very short flight – maybe 15 feet before settling and continuing on their way.

After a time, our loons reawakened and decided they’d face the day afterall. They headed out to forage a bit.

They also spent some time exploring along the shore. The hummock they’ve used for their nest site for several years washed away in the heavy rains last summer. They’ll have to find a new site.

At one point, one loon beached and almost seemed to be presenting. That would be about a month early. The second loon didn’t respond and they soon started off down the shoreline again.

Another pretty good indication that spring is really here is the return of the warblers. Warblers are beautiful little birds. Emphasis on little. They’re devilishly hard to photograph. They’re in almost continuous motion while foraging through the underbrush. This palm warbler paused briefly in the clear.

This morning I headed to the Easton’s pond again. Our second loon has returned. As I was putting the boat in, another loon flew over and was challenged by the loons on the pond. A loon flew over the pond on two more occasions, both times flying off after being challenged. The home team spent the morning foraging and preening.

The highlight of the morning was finding three otters feeding and wrestling on the bank of the pond.

I don’t know that I’ve ever found a pair of otters. When I spot them, there are either one alone or a trio of them. Today there were three. This was the first time I’ve seen this behavior – they were clawing at a tree stump. They didn’t seem to be finding anything to eat and the scratching was interrupted by rounds of wrestling.

One of the trio broke off from the tree and grabbed a perch for breakfast.

The other two otters took time for a couple rounds of wrestling while the first ate.

As I was heading back to the boat launch, I passed the loons foraging together. One started preening, so I stuck around to get the stretch shot.

And, should you have any remaining doubts spring has returned to the Upper Valley, the honey wagons are flocking to the fields.

Our bluebirds are again building in our nesting box. I checked the cameras several weeks ago and all seemed fine. But now the camera in the box the birds are using isn’t working properly. We’ll have to skip watching the first brood – I’m not going to disturb the box to get at the camera until the the chicks fledge. Hopefully we’ll be back online for the second brood.

You can sign up to be updated when I add new posts, if you want to follow the loons through the season, go ahead and sign up. And, please share with your friends that might enjoy the wildlife.

bird lovers, birds, common loons, loons

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