Posts Tagged: loons

Loon Chicks Now Nine Weeks Old

On August 22, 2023 - Loons, Wildlife Photography

Thanks to everyone who stopped by to say hello at the League of NH Craftsmen Fair. Nice to know there are actually people out there looking at my blog. My next show will be the Fall Crafts at Lyndhurst in Tarrytown, NY September 8, 9 & 10.

The weather and my travels have kept me from checking in on the loons since July 24 when I found the Eastons fighting with a pair of intruders challenging them for the pond. Sunday morning dawned without rain and only a light breeze. I headed back to check on the Eastons.

There was a loon wailing when I put the boat in. I had to paddle down most of the pond before I found the first loons. Mom was feeding one chick. This is the pond where dad is banded, letting me tell who is who. I checked the pond with the binoculars, no sign of any more loons. I settled in to watch.
Our osprey showed up to hunt for breakfast. He? circled low over head for several minutes before diving and coming up empty. While I was watching the osprey, dad and the second chick snuck up on me and joined mom.
Shortly afterwards, the adults gave sharp calls and the chicks flattened out on the water as an intruder arrived. The three adults circled briefly before things escalated quickly to a wing rowing chase. One loon repeated displayed the penguin dance. I lost track of the third loon. Our pair formed up and swam south.

Sometime later, they headed back north and rounded a corner out of sight. A loon flying south appeared and circled to gain height to clear the hills as it departed. Mom took off and followed a few moments later.

Dad gathered the chicks and headed back south, foraging along the way. One chick was almost exclusively feeding itself while the second was putting dad to work.
Adolescent loons will crowd their parents and nibble on them to let them know their hungry. Which seems to be almost all the time they’re not sleeping.
This chick is trying to explain to dad the the horrors of not having been fed for the better part of a minute and urging dad to action.
Dad didn’t get the hint, our chick grabbed a few feathers and pinched him. Dad finally caught on and dove.
Dad came up empty, the chick returned to explain his plight. Dad’s luck improved and he was able to deliver several fish and crayfish to the chick.
Our osprey reappeared and circled the overhead for a few moments before settling in a tree to watch for breakfast opportunities.
Our chick took a break from the buffet to stretch.
You can see the flight feathers growing in on the underside the chick’s wings.
Dad popped up right next to the boat with a tasty crayfish.
Our chick made quick work of the crayfish.
Still hungry, the chick grabbed a bunch of dad’s feathers to signal he’s ready for the next course.

Our osprey made another dive that missed and circled a few times before heading off to the north.
Our chick took a moment to preen and then went up for a stretch. He spun something like 560 degrees while stretching. I have no idea why, but he looked like he was having fun.
He’s up and starting his stretch and spin.
Spinning to the right…..
180 degrees……
Coming around to 270 degrees…..
And around again…
One last shake and time to get back to breakfast.
Dad took a moment to stretch.
Our chicks faced off momentarily, it appeared they were working out the pecking order.
Just a little pushing and shoving to figure out who’s the boss.
The chick that looked to have come out on top of the skirmish finished with a stretch.

It was time for me to head out and I started paddling towards the boat launch.

I caught up with the osprey making yet another try for breakfast.
Success!

A friend on the Middleton’s pond tells me they’ve had intruders regularly over the past few weeks. I’m watching the weather and will get out to check on them and the Westons as soon as I can.

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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!
Up for another stretch.
And another stretch…..
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.
Still looking cute.
Back to squabbling! Why does it look like dad is thinking it will be a long summer?
Mom is back with another fish.
And yet another fish.
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.

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First Loon Chicks Have Arrived

On June 16, 2023 - Loons, Moose, Wildlife Photography

UPDATE: We’ve got a second pair of chicks that have hatched since I posted this. Lots of pix in their own post at here.

The weather final cleared enough to let me get back out to check on our three loon families. Well, sort of. I got very wet the first evening and made it back to the car with seconds to spare the second.

First, there’s some sad news from Vermont, the oldest known loon in Vermont has died. His age was estimated at 31 years. VT Diggerhttps://vtdigger.org/2023/06/15/vermonts-oldest-loon-dies-at-the-estimated-age-of-31/ has a piece interviewing Eric Hanson, Lead Biologist at the Loon Conservation Project about the loon.

With loon chicks hatching it is once again time to request that you give them space if you go to see or photograph them. You may not intend them any harm, but you may distract the parents from seeing other threats. Our new loon chicks were greeted by a circling eagle on their first or second day out. The parents need to concentrate on the real threats, keep back and let them do their job. All the images of chicks here were with a 600mm lens and heavily cropped.

Tuesday evening I got a message from a friend on the Weston’s pond that the chicks had arrived. And that the eagle was eyeing them. Wednesday morning was wet and windy. It gradually cleared a bit through the day. I set out in the evening to check on the chicks. It was sunny when I left the house. On the way into the pond, I had to wait while a doe browsed from the road – with her fawn gamboling about in the road. By the time I had everything in the boat, there were a few sprinkles. Not enough to dissuade in intrepid photographer.

By the time I found the loon family, the rain was steady.
The rain got heavier, but I was already wet and wasn’t going to let it stop me. The lighting quickly changed my mind…..

When I got up at 0345 on Thursday ready to head out, it was raining heavily. Early morning is the most productive time in the office, almost no one calls before 0700 or 0800. I got a fair bit done. When the dogs finally got up, I noticed some breaks in the clouds when I let them out. Hoping it would clear a bit, I headed off to to check on the Middletons.
They’re still sitting on the eggs. I missed exactly when they laid the eggs, the earliest we can expect chicks is this weekend.
Our off duty parent had time to preen and gave several nice stretches.
Being a sucker for the stretching shot, I took full advantage.
The off duty loon approached the nest three times over a couple hours. The loons held a discussion each time, but the on duty loon stayed on duty. Interestingly, the on duty loon just sat and watched when alone. When the other loon approached, the on duty loon busied itself sorting out the brush around the nest and added material to the nest. When the other loon left, the on duty loon went back to sitting.
The off duty loon seemed to be checking in to see if it was shift change yet.
As the off duty loon approaches, the on duty loon starts making nest improvements.
Dredging up some vegetation when the off duty loon showed up.
One more shot of the on duty loon gathering material.
While I waited to catch the nest exchange, I amused myself watching several eastern kingbirds hunting dragonflies.
Kingbirds hunt from low perches along the water’s edge – frequently over lily pads. They make short, fast flights to grab dragonflies and damselflies out of the air.
Eventually, it came time for the loon to switch.
When doing a nest exchange, loons will often forage and preen together for a time before one returns to the nest. Not this time, The off duty loon wasted no time in climbing onto the nest.
Before settling in for the shift, the now on duty loon takes time to turn the eggs.
It took three tries to get everything properly arraigned.
Third time is the charm! After this, the loon settle down and sat. I headed out, hopefully to get back this weekend.

Thursday evening, I went back to check on the Westons. This time with just a couple puffy clouds in the sky.

Both parents were foraging for the chicks near the nest.
This young, the chicks are rarely more than a couple feet away from a parent. Although, both parents may dive at the same time leaving the chicks briefly alone.

This morning, I was up and out by 0430, with clouds above and fog below me as I headed to see the Eastons. They’re up in the White Mountain National Forest, they were on their nest by the time the Forest Service got the road to the pond open, so we don’t know when to expect the chicks. But, the last three years, they’ve hatched in the third weekend of June, so soon…..

When I arrived, one loon was on nest duty. I had a bit of excitement as I looked through the lens. It looked like a chick peeking out from under the wing. No such luck, enlarging the image showed it to be a stray feather. This is the pair where the male is banded. If I can see a leg, I can tell mom from dad. I missed any nest exchange this morning, so I can’t say for sure. But, I’d bet it was dad on the overnight, he’s taken the last few overnights the past three years.
There as a surprising moose to loon ratio on the pond this morning at 1.5:1. This bull looks like the one I saw on June 2. He’s shaking his head after submerging it to get the tasty water plants.
Sometimes I’m convinced the critters know how to frustrate my photography. With the fog and the back light, I suspect this fellow knew he was frustrating me and enjoyed it as he had breakfast.
Our off duty loon was lazily cruising around the pond, occasionally diving to forage. I went looking for other photo opportunities. There seemed to be more herons on the pond this morning. There’s been a resident pair every year since I started visiting in 2012. Later in the season chicks from the nest join the parents. Most of the time, herons are content to stand or slowly stalk along the water’s edge. Occasionally, they’ll make short flight to a new hunting spot or to roost in a tree. This morning I saw about a dozen heron flights and the herons were more vocal than normal. Not sure if the resident pair was restless or if more have moved in.
This heron posed nicely. He kept me occupied by occasionally crouching as if about to strike – which kept me glued to the camera. Before I could get a pic, I was distract by two new visitors to the pond.
Mrs. moose was out and about. Seeing two moose in a day is a treat. But we weren’t done.
A second bull was foraging with the cow. I can remember just a couple days in my life that I’ve been lucky enough to see three moose in a day.

I’ll be out looking for the rest of our chicks as soon as we get a break in the weather.

Link to the newer post: https://blog.ianclark.com/photography/wildlife-photography/the-eastons-have-two-chicks/

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Checking in with the Loon Families

On June 3, 2023 - Loons, Wildlife Photography

With the beautiful weather we had last week, I was out morning and evening every day checking in on all three loon families along with their neighbors. The Forest Service road to the Easton’s pond is now passible so I finally got up to check on them.

A raft of new subscribers joined us this last week. If you found me from the Paradise City show, thanks for stopping by. For the new visitors, to protect the loon families, I don’t publish their location on the web. Not everyone on the web has wildlife’s best interests at heart. The three families I follow are the ‘Eastons,’ on the easternmost pond I frequent, the ‘Westons’ are on the westernmost and the ‘Middletons’ are in the middle.

The first visit to the Eastons was last Tuesday evening. There was a strong wind kicking up the occasional whitecap. On my first lap around the pond, I didn’t spot any loons and last year’s nesting site was untouched. After time, one adult loon appeared, foraging lazily. The chop was too much for photos and the black flies had decided I was the buffet, so I called an early quit and headed home.

Wednesday morning, I headed out to see the Westons.

A broad-winged hawk settled near the boat launch as I was putting in.
It didn’t take long to find a single adult loon foraging and preening out on the pond. The other loon was sitting on their nest.
After a bit, the loons swapped nest duty and the newly released loon had a good stretch before settling in for a nap. I wandered off to see who else was out and about.
Many painted turtles were hauled out around the edge of the marsh and several snapping turtles were floating with their heads and top of their shells out of the water.
Mrs. hooded merganser was out in the clear – rarely do they stay out of the reeds when someone is in sight. She even gave a good stretch before heading off to forage among the lily pads.
Female red-winged blackbirds are sitting on their nests. The males are keeping watch nearby.
Male common yellowthroats are plentiful in the marsh and are happy to announce their presence.
Leaving the pond, I saw something I’ve not seen before; a hawk or raven was dive bombing a kettle of turkey vultures. By the time I pulled over, the corvid was gone – of course.

Wednesday evening, I dropped in on the Middletons. It was well into the 90s. In previous years, the nest was fairly exposed to the afternoon sun and the loon with afternoon nest duty often sat in full sun for a couple hours. I headed over to check on the nest. On my way, the resident osprey took a fish from just a few yards in front of me. Of course, I didn’t see him until he was just a few feet above the water, I had to watch instead of taking photos.

This year the grass has grown up considerably giving them some afternoon shade. But, not enough to keep them from getting hot enough to pant. Loons will pant like dogs do, holding their bill open and breathing quickly to try to cool off.
Our other loon was floating around the pond and eventually gave a stretch. With one loon on the nest and the other just killing time, it was time to see who else was around. Eventually, the loons swapped nest sitting duty and with my binoculars I was able to see two eggs.
Red-eyed vireos are actually very common, but somewhat rare to see – apparently because I’m always looking on the top of the branch…. They spend most of their time high in the tree canopy, you can hear them regularly. This one ventured down almost to eye level briefly to forage. Looks like he’s trying to pull a spider out its hidey hole. He eventually pulled something free and promptly returned upstairs. I encouraged him to take some black flies along, but he declined.

Thursday morning I headed back to visit the Eastons, hoping both had returned. There was no wind, it was a perfect morning just to be out on the water, even better for photos. As I headed down the pond, I quickly spotted a loon sitting on the bank a couple hundred feet from the previous nesting site. Studies of banded loons suggest that if they are successful in hatching chicks in a nesting site, they’ll reuse the site. The literature says the male picks the site, I hoped our male had returned (I want all my critters to live long happy lives before retiring to Boca Raton.) The male on the pond the last few years was banded, I wanted to get a look at their legs.

Our loon on the new nest.
A loon was preening a few hundred feet from the nest and stretched as I went by. I got a good look at her legs, no bands.
Nearby, one of our spotted sandpipers was foraging along the rocks exposed above the water. Checking each rapidly before moving to the next.
Our loon not on duty did a slow tour of the pond. Before heading towards the nest.

The off duty loon wandered over to confer with the loon on the nest. They exchanged hoots, apparently discussing the shift change.
The loon on the nest agreed it was time to hand things off and left the nest.
Free of having to sit, he stretched and then scratched an itch – letting me spot the bands on his legs. Our male is back.
Mom climbed up on the nest and checked on the eggs.
Mom took time to turn both eggs. We think birds turn their eggs to both help distribute nutrients to the developing chick and to keep the chick from adhering to the side of the egg. Mom got them arraigned properly and settled in. I scouted for other wildlife.
Pickings were slim. Merlin claimed there were lots of warblers around, all I could find was common yellowthroats. There was a lone duck foraging along the grass.
Thursday evening I headed back to see the Westons. Their nest is well camouflaged and usually provides good shade. With the temps in the 90s again, the loon on duty was hot and panting.
Hank Heron, or maybe his cousin, Wade, was working through the marsh nearby.
I guess he didn’t like the looks of me, he decided to be elsewhere.
There was an eastern kingbird that was picking perches in beautiful light, I watched him for a time. Kingbird numbers seem to be down on all three ponds this year.

Friday morning, I packed up the Loon Preservation Committee’s nesting sign and headed back to the Eastons.

The loons had company for breakfast, a bull moose was browsing along the edge of the pond. Conditions were good to let me get relatively close, there was a slight wind blowing towards me and I was in deep shadows with him looking up into the sun. I was able to watch him for a time.
After dunking his head under to get a mouthful of underwater plants, he’d give a good shake, scattering water almost as far as a soggy husky can.
Another head shake. Most of the time when I encounter moose in the morning, they’re out before sun up and wander back into the shade before the light hits the pond. This fellow stayed out about 20 minutes after the light reached the pond, then headed back into the woods. I returned my attention to the loons.

Once again, our male had taken the night shift and was on the nest waiting to be relived.
When he was relived, I waited for the stretch.
He cooperated nicely and found a spot with beautiful light. I set out their nest sign and headed home for a much needed nap.
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We’re Expecting!

On May 23, 2023 - Loons, Wildlife Photography

The weather kept me from visiting the loons for several days. I was out to see the Middletons last Thursday, May 18. I didn’t get back until last evening. And I had a chance to visit the Westons this morning. Let’s see how they’re doing.

I’ll be at the Paradise City Art Show in Northampton, MA this coming weekend. Stop by and say hello. I’ll have lots of prints, from small to large, and note cards with lots of critters. All the show details here.

Last Thursday was another chilly morning, with a little bit of fog on the water.

I hit the water well before dawn, ready to make some nice images. The loons slept in.
Eventually, the loons woke and continued their exploration of alternate nesting sites. The looked at three sites, with both loons climbing out of the water and sitting a couple minutes on the site. The literature says the male picks the site, but these two were discussing it at length. Maybe the male picks the site like I’m picking the colors for repainting our kitchen?
The spotted sandpipers were out foraging along the water’s edge and on downed trees.
This eastern phoebe stopped by to feed off of the many black flies that I’d attracted.
Eventually our loons headed back to last year’s nesting site. One crawled out and sat and fidgeted long enough that I hoped we had an egg. No such luck.
Still thinking about it….
All this thinking must have been exhausting, they tucked in for a nap.
Our great egret was flying about.
And a few Canada geese returned from their errands. This one looks little surprised to see the water coming up at him so fast.

I returned yesterday evening, much to the delight of the black flies.

When I arrived, there was a loon on last year’s nesting site, with the other one floating nearby, hooting softly.
The loon on the water wandered off to feed and preen.
I went exploring the marsh. This gander was giving me a look. I suspect he was plotting my demise….
The red-winged black birds were very active, with females hauling nesting material and everyone feeding on bugs.
The loon not on nest duty returned to the nest four time through the evening. They didn’t exchange nest duty, but they had a conversation with lots of soft hooting.

This morning I headed off to check in on the Westons. It became a beautiful morning after a chilly 38° start, with lots of nice fog on the water. The last few years, the Westons have been about a week behind the Middletons in mating and nesting. They must have a new calendar this year.

One of the Westons was out slowly cruising in the fog when I arrived.
Our geese were commuting to and fro on the pond. I could hear them long before I could see them through the fog.
A pair of wood duck drakes were looking sharp, even in the fog.
The loon not on nest duty took time to preen in the cove where the nest is.
A pair of geese ventured too close to the nest. The preening loon dove. The geese saw him coming and decided they would prefer to be somewhere else right about now.
Geese vanquished, preening was completed and we got a nice stretch.
I hadn’t spotted the nest yet. While I was watching the loon not on duty stretch, a second loon surfaced close by and gave a stretch.
They both took time to preen.
And finishing up with another nice stretch.
One of the loons returned to the nest. Again, I’m shooting with a 600mm lens and cropping the image. Please give nesting loons lots of room.

This handsome fellow was out celebrating World Turtle Day today. As good a reason to go wild as any!

It will be next week before I get a chance to get back to check on them. I’ll let you know what I find. Enjoy the holiday weekend and please remember the U.S. military personnel who gave their lives to protect us

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More Time with the Loons

On May 17, 2023 - Loons, Wildlife Photography

Last weekend, I was able to spend both mornings on the Middleton’s Pond. They’ve got a new neighbor, it looks like they may be having second thoughts about the nest location and they, once again, told an intruder to go away.

I’ll be down at the Paradise City Show in Northampton, MA, over Memorial Day Weekend. I’ll have lots of wildlife prints, including lots of loons, as well as note cards. Stop by to say hello. All the show details here.

Saturday morning found a great egret foraging not far from where the loons nested last year and may again this year. The loons were off in another cove on the pond.

Our loons were busy making little loons again.
Once again, an intruding loon arrived on the pond. The home team left their cove to challenge him. The home team male yodeled a couple times to explain the situation to the intruder.
This time, the intruder quickly took the hint and departed. The home team went off to look at real estate.
Several sandpipers have arrived on the pond and spend time foraging along the water’s edge or from downed trees.
Painted turtles took advantage of the morning sunlight.
The great egret moved over to a stretch of reeds along the pond.
Shaking water off after an unsuccessful strike.
The next try was successful, the egret came up with a bluegill.
Whenever I watch an egret walking through the reeds, I think they look like someone stalking off to speak to the manager.
There were two osprey around the pond. While one would circle the pond, the other would perch and call. It sounded like a challenge. I wonder if a third osprey was visiting the pond and the home team osprey were objecting.
A quick wing stretch.
Sunday morning, the loons had a long discussion near last year’s nesting site, the same site they worked on last week.
The literature says male loons select the nesting site. From what I’ve seen, it appears to be a joint decision. They’ll both explore the options and exchange soft hoots and wails. If they see a promising spot, one or both loons may haul out and sit on the spot for a few minutes. They also seem to explore the underwater escape routes from any potential site.
After checking out three sites near last year’s site, they moved over to the reeds and explored options there. This is where they nested in 2017 when the female was killed by a Canada goose with a nearby nest. If we still have the same male, I wonder if that will play into the decision if they’re looking in the reeds.
The loons seemed unconcerned about the egret’s presence. I suspect that will change when the chicks arrive. A young chick would be an easy meal for an egret.
And, I can’t resist a nice wing stretch for a pic.
One more wing stretch….

I’m anxiously watching the weather, itching to get back to see if they’ve decided on a nesting site.

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Catching Up with the Loons

On May 12, 2023 - Loons, Wildlife Photography

There’s news from the Middletons. The Westons didn’t show any signs of getting on with chicks when I visited. They’re usually about a week behind the Middletons, so that’s not surprising. While I’ve been out every morning and couple afternoons, I fell behind on editing. Finally catching up, here’s a very long post.

A note on photography since we’ve started nesting season. Please respect the loons and give them their space if you photograph them. For these photos, I was working with a 600mm or 800mm lens on a crop body. That’s something like a 24X or 26X scope. To get all of a loon in the frame, I’ve got to be something like 110 feet from the loon and further back to get some of the surroundings. That’s far enough back that the loons pretty much ignore me. And, a good distance for you to maintain..

Winter wasn’t quite ready to go away when I visited the Middletons last Saturday. It was a pleasant 34° when I launched. I found the loons in the cove where they used to nest.

After a quick preen, one of them gave a morning stretch. In years past, I’ve seen them mating on one of lawns along this cove. Soon, the loons were skirting the shoreline, cooing to each other.
Sure enough, soon mom crawled out of the water. Before they could finish the business, dad turned around and headed back out towards the pond. Mom sat on the shore for a couple minutes before she too headed back towards the pond at full steam.
An intruding loon had arrived on the pond. The home team went out to tell him the pond was already taken. They circled each other, sizing each other up.
They progressed to making aggressive dives and circling each other under water. When I gave my slideshow a while ago, someone asked how you can tell if a dive is aggressive. My best answer is the same way you can tell your wife’s mood by the way she closes a door. When loons are foraging, they usually slip gracefully under. When they’re challenging each other, they’ll make a splash.
When they’re circling and sizing each other up, they’ll often display just how large and powerful a loon they really are. By now, I’d lost all sense of who was the home team.
Of course, the other loons all think they’re the biggest and baddest loon and are willing to display to prove it.
The confrontation escalated to one of the males yodeling at another loon. Only males yodel, this was probably the home team male telling an intruding male to leave. After a time, the intruder took the hint and departed. For now.
After the intruder left, the Middletons were able to spend a peaceful morning. They cruised around their pond.
And they practiced just looking fine. I think they’ll pulled it off very well.
No morning is complete without preening and stretching.
Another stretch.
And they retreated back to the cove for a nap.

When I returned on Sunday, it was a balmy 39° when I launched. I could almost feel my fingers as I shot. I suspect the loons mated before I arrived. They seem to mate just around dawn for several days. They were coming out of the cove that they’ve been using when I arrived about dawn. I followed them over to the cove where they’ve nested the last four years.
After a quick scout around the cove, they took time to preen and stretch.
Strrreeeccccchhhhhh….
Here’s one of our loons placing some vegetation around the nest.
One loon is inspecting the work on the nest while the other one checks the basement for some good vegetation to add.
The loons tucked in for a nap and I went exploring. I soon found a male pileated woodpecker working on a birch tree.
Pileated woodpeckers are my nemesis bird, photo opportunities are rare. This was one of my better chances. Here, he’s scored a nice beetle.

Tuesday morning found me with some work to do before heading out. Up at 0330 and with it only 30° on the pond, I once again found myself questioning some of my life choices. This time, I was early enough.

The loons got busy making little loons shortly after I arrived.
After the deed, mom approached my boat and give an in my face stretch.
They made a quick inspection of the nest and decided it was in good shape.
They preened and stretched.
The settled in for a morning nap.
Warblers are back. The marsh is busy with common yellowthroats and along the shore were dozens of yellow-rumped warblers and this palm warbler.

Wednesday I went to check on the Westons. Conditions for photography were ideal, every photographer dreams of paddling on a 28° foggy morning.

The loons cooperated in looking great, the images were worth freezing for.
The loons spent the morning foraging and cruising the pond.
The full cast of characters seems to be back in the marsh. There were several sandpipers around, including this spotted sandpiper foraging along the marsh’s edge.
Tree swallows have been back for 10 days or two weeks. Now they’re getting serious about finding mates, calling and fliting about with each other.
Last year, there was a swamp sparrow who always posed nicely at eye level in a a spot with nice morning light. There’s a sparrow there now, I always hope it is the same bird.
And, he treated me to a morning long concert.
This yellow warbler was trying to tell the ladies he’s single and looking.
And the red-winged blackbirds were out looking for the ladies. The female red-winged blackbirds arrived en mass last weekend. The marsh is suddenly full of them.

We should be getting goslings soon. This goose nests right next to the boat launch every year and objects when anyone comes or goes.

Friday morning found the Middletons once again facing off with an intruder.

The intruder was on the pond when I arrived at dawn. The loons were circling each other.
Low-level challenges continued throughout the morning. When I was out of sight, there was a great deal of splashing – probably wing rowing and yodeling before the intruder retreated from the pond.
One of our loons stretching after the intruder leaves. With the excitement over, I went looking to see who else was out and about.
Least, but not last, a handful of least flycatchers were calling in the marsh. This on made a very brief appearance low enough to photograph.
Geese continued their skirmishing. Once one goose invades another’s territory, the whole pond ends up involved. When one of the geese in the original incursion retreats, it inevitably lands in yet another goose’s territory. Which starts a new fight….
I lost track of which goose was which, there were about a dozen geese along this stretch of pond. All squabbling.
Painted turtles are basking. I counted 62 of them around the pond this morning. Snapping turtles are out and about, I spotted several large adults on the surface.
These turtles were hauled out not far from the loon’s nest. It seemed like this loon went over to check them out.
One of the osprey from the pond’s nest has been patrolling over the marsh where the eagle was hanging out last week. One of the pair that was involved in last week’s skirmish with the eagle. The osprey has made at least two low, slow flights over the marsh each morning I’ve been on the pond. This time, he was challenged by a red-winged blackbird.
Before departing, I deployed the Loon Preservation Committee’s nesting sanctuary sign near the loon’s nest.
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Unexpected Action on the Middleton’s Pond

On May 3, 2023 - Loons, Photography, Raptors, Wildlife Photography

The forecast for this morning called for rain. I happily planned to sleep in. Owing two huskies often thwarts such plans. When I let them out, there were stars to be seen. There was a thick fog over the Connecticut River, but clear skies above. The Middleton’s – the loons that live on the pond between the other two ponds – pond is a few hundred feet above the Connecticut. Hoping for some mood shots, I packed up and headed out.

The pond had a moderate fog and flat water. I had guessed correctly.
There was no shortage of Canada geese on the pond. I noticed nine nests while I was exploring.

It didn’t take long to find the loons, they were in one of their favorite coves. And sleeping in.
And they continued to sleep in….
After a time, they began to stir. They both did a very quick preen and stretched their legs.
Before giving a good wing stretch to get things going.
Loons on this pond have often nested in this cove. Two years ago, they relocated the nest. This morning, they took a quick tour around the old nest site, poking into the brush and hooting to each other.

When loons are courting, they’ll swim quickly along side each other, softly hooting to each other, and they’ll make synchronized dives. This morning, our pair made a quick courting display before heading off to breakfast.

With the loons off having breakfast, I spent some time exploring the marsh. Warblers are back, the pond was surrounded by yellow-rumped warblers and common yellowthroats. I saw a black & white warbler – briefly. And, the spider webs were covered in dew and standing out. Before I could concentrate on photographing warblers, bigger things were afoot.
A bald eagle that had been sitting out of my sight dove on the pond, coming up empty. I wasn’t quick enough to get the camera around for the dive. He? landed in a tree overlooking the pond and I settled in to wait for the next dive.
The osprey on the pond have returned to their nest and were not in the mood to welcome an eagle.
One of the osprey came in and dove at the sitting eagle.
The osprey came in close to the eagle. I’m glad I wasn’t on the business end of the talons.
The osprey pulled up and came around again.
The eagle was standing higher and calling louder this time. That didn’t discourage the osprey.
The osprey made five dives at the eagle. The eagle held his ground. The osprey headed down the pond towards the nest.
Having proved he could hold his ground (hold his tree?), the eagle sat for a time before flying off to a new perch – out of sight of the osprey. He eventually came back, dove for a fish and missed. Settling in a new tree, the osprey started in on him again.

The loons would be rooting for the osprey. Osprey’s diet is almost exclusively fish, they leave the loons alone, while eagles are a very real threat to loon families.

My luck with the weather ran out. A few raindrops remined me that the huskies needed their morning run. I had the boat packed up and was pulling out of the parking spot when the rain hit. The huskies enjoyed romping in the mud when they got their run.
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Loons Have Returned to the North Country

On April 18, 2023 - Loons, Photography, Wildlife Photography

Loons have returned to our local ponds. The Westons – the loons on the pond to my west – were spotted a week ago on Monday, April 10. The Middletons – the loons on the pond between the eastern and western ponds I’ve been following – showed up Thursday, April 13.

In other news, our bluebirds have been around the yard regularly. Their camera is supposed to send me a notification when they’re in the box. It hasn’t been sending notifications and has been on my list to fix for a time. Yesterday I went to show off the live feed and found Mrs. Bluebird in the box.

Mrs. Bluebird has been busy, I tuned in just in time to catch up on the news.

I was surprised how far along in their plans the bluebirds were when mom left the box.

A friend on the north end of the Westons’ pond messaged to tell me the loons were back. The water was open on their end of the pond. I hit the pond the next afternoon, only to find that there was still ice between the boat launch and the loons. Being too stubborn to take the hint, I tried breaking through with the kayak. Most of the ice was just slushy water, but the last 40 or 50 feet had ice too thick to break through. I had to give up. I returned Sunday and the ice was gone. There were two loons on the pond. It was a windy afternoon, and there weren’t any photos to be made.

On Friday, I tried the Middletons’ pond. Two loons were foraging together for a time before preening and settling in for a nap.

The turtles were lining the pond to welcome the loons back. Or maybe just to bask. Hard to tell with turtles. There were a couple hundred painted turtles, basking on most every long or hummock in the sun.

Insects of some sort were hatching and the trout were near the surface – or jumping above it – most of the afternoon. The loons were foraging quickly, with short shallow dives. They took the occasional break to stretch.

After feeding, they took time to preen.
After preening, this loon give a nice stretch.

I hope to follow the loons on the same three ponds that I have been watching again this season. You can keep up with their adventures by subscribing. And, if you know someone who enjoys wildlife, please share the blog with them.

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One Loon Family Still Here

On October 22, 2022 - Loons, Wildlife Photography

Dawn yesterday found a cloudless sky and with the temperature here on the hill at 32°, I figured I could get the kayak around the pond. I headed north to check on the Westons. This is the family that faced intruders for several weeks in the spring. They hatched two chicks and one survives and is 15 weeks old.

I’ve got a couple appearances coming up. Wednesday October 26, I’ll be at the Bugbee Senior Center at 1:00 p.m.with my slideshow An Uncommon Look at the Common Loon. The show is open to the public, see the details on their site: https://www.bugbeecenter.org/activity/special-events/bugbeetalks/.

There’s a photographic print version of An Uncommon Look which I’ll be hanging at the Kellogg-Hubbard Memorial Library in Montpelier on November 1. It will stay up until November 30. I’ll be giving An Uncommon Look at 6:30 p.m. on November 9 at the Library. Free and open to the public.

And, I’ll be at Craft Vermont November 18-20, 2022 at the DoubleTree in South Burlington. Come on by and say hello.

When I got to the loon’s pond, the sun had yet to hit the tops of the trees along the west side of the pond and it was a refreshing 29°. There was only the slightest trace of ice along the shore, no problem for a kayak.

While I was launching the kayak, I noticed what looked to be a large hawk land in a tree towards the other end of the pond. Too far away for a good ID and with the loons talking I headed out to find them.


There were two loons on the pond. One I suspect is mom, the other is our surviving chick. When I found thems, they appeared agitated. They were swimming back and forth, fairly rapidly and making low hooting calls. After I watched for a few minutes, it occurred to me to check that hawk out. It turned out to be a juvenile bald eagle. One of the residents on the pond told me earlier that a young eagle had been harassing the chick. The eagle is at the top of the tree just right of center.
After a time, the eagle flew off to the north. The loons started foraging, but still appeared agitated.

A little looking around found a second immature bald eagle watching the pond.

A few minutes later, this eagle took off and made a couple of low passes over the loons. Both loons dove in plenty of time. The eagle settled on a new perch. The eagle that had flown off to the north reappeared – coming in like a husky hearing me unwrap a piece of cheese.
The loons kept a eye on the eagles – and kept talking about them – while they tried to forage.

I suspect that’s mom in front. My guess is based on not hearing the adult loon yodel. The male on the pond this year was not shy about yodeling at eagles or most anything that moved along the shore. Our chick is a male, he tried a couple of yodels that didn’t impress the eagles. Note that mom has pretty much changed into her winter plumage.
Our chick is just about as long as the adult, but isn’t yet at full adult weight.
The eagles took another leisurely flight over the pond. The chick took off wing rowing.
With the eagles out of sight, the chick took a moment to stretch.
But the eagles weren’t done yet. They reappeared and one made a dive at the chick.
The chick was prepared…..
And dove rapidly. I’m impressed by the speed. My camera takes 10 images a second. The chick was entirely submerged in the second frame after having been sitting mostly still in the first. After missing the chick, both eagles headed out of sight to the north.
The chick is capable of foraging for himself now. But that doesn’t stop him from from encouraging mom to feed him.
With the eagles gone, the loons had time to forage and to let me get good looks at them. Here’s a good look at our chick.
And a good look at mom.
Our chick foraging on the shadowed side of the pond.
And pestering mom to provide a meal.
And we’ll close with a couple shots of the chick stretching.
The loons are likely to stay on the pond until the ice starts to form. Mom is likely to leave first, the chick following a week or 10 days later. They may make a stop in a warmer pond and stay until the ice starts to form there. Eventually, they’re likely to head for the coast between Maine and Cape Cod to spend the winter. The parents will return next spring, the chick won’t be back until they’re ready to raise his own family. Depending on who tracks the loons, that will be somewhere between two and five years. This is likely the last time I’ll knowingly see this chick. I wished mom a good winter and the chick a long healthy life before I headed out.
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