Posts Tagged: loons

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.

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.

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.

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.

bird lovers, bird watching, birds, common loons, loons, new hampshire wildlife, vermont wildlife

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.

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.

bald eagle, birding, birds, birdwatching, common loon, eagle, loons, osprey, wildlife

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 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.

birds, common loon, loons, new hampshire wildlife, vermont wildlife

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.

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.

Our chick foraging on the shadowed side of the pond.

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.

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

Loon Chicks at 11 Weeks

On September 10, 2022 - Loons, Wildlife Photography

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

After a time, they took a break to preen.

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

Preening is usually followed by a good stretch.

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

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

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

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

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

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

The chick continued running and flapping….

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

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

Loon Chicks at Ten Weeks

On September 2, 2022 - Loons, Wildlife Photography

This morning, I was able to pay a quick visit to our loon family where our chicks are now ten weeks old. It was a brisk 38° when I put the boat in, with a light breeze making it feel colder. It seemed a long time before the sun crept up to light the pond. The wind only got worse, making photography difficult.

Are you in an organization that needs programs? I’ve got several PowerPoint presentations available. Under Steam gives a look at many of the US’s surviving steam locomotives, Puffin Stuff is about visiting and photographing the Atlantic Puffins on Machias Seal Island, Photographing the Critters in Your Yard is geared towards camera clubs and gives lots of ideas on how to get started with wildlife photography. And, An Uncommon Look at the Common Loon rounds up my best loon photos.

For educators, I’ve got a PowerPoint on Careers in Photography which introduces many lesser known career paths in photography. Students usually have interesting questions about my time managing NASA’s Photographic Section.

One of our great blue herons was on duty early again. There’s a chick directly behind him and that’s one of our parents on the far left.

Both chicks seem to be doing well, they’re still growing and are almost outfitted in their winter uniforms. Their feathers are still growing in.

Both chicks were making sustained dives in deep(er) water. They didn’t seem interested in foraging in the shallow water.

Stretching the wings. The water drops on the bird’s chest show how effective the waxy substance they excrete is at repelling water. I wish I could get a wax job on the car that effective.

The family was spread out over a large portion of the pond. The chicks were foraging independently. But were happy to take any food the parents cared to provide. Our parents made several flights, circling the pond many times throughout the morning. I suspect they’re conditioning for the upcoming migration.

Hey Wilber! Watch this! The chicks’ project for the morning was learning the basics of flying. Both chicks repeatedly taxied to the downwind end of a cove, turned into the wind and gave a good try to get airborne. This chick is technically airborne – briefly. They’re getting very close, but need their feathers to grow in a bit more to give them the lift needed for sustained flight.

One of our great blue herons has been foraging in the reeds in the shallows and feels the need to be elsewhere.

UPDATE: I was able to get back out to visit this family again Sunday morning, and the weather was more cooperative. More pix at: Another Visit With The Loons.

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

Loon Chicks Now Eight Weeks Old

On August 21, 2022 - Loons, Wildlife Photography

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Loon Chicks At Four And Five Weeks

On July 24, 2022 - Loons, Wildlife Photography

The loon chicks to my east are five weeks old this weekend. All four on both ponds, the ‘Eastons’ and the ‘Middletons,’ seem to be doing well. The pond to my west, the ‘Westons,’ has sad news, the parents have lost a chick.

Our bluebirds’ second brood is ready to fledge. Wednesday afternoon the adults started calling to the chicks to leave the box. Thursday they were more insistent. Friday they sounded impatient. Saturday morning, two of the four chicks left the box. This morning their are still two chicks in the box. Mom and dad have stopped calling, they’re busy feeding the two that fledged. The two in the box are looking out the door, trying to get up the courage to make the leap.

The League of New Hampshire Craftsmen’s Fair is August 6-15, I’ll be there with lots of wildlife prints, cards and more. Other images are available through my web site, www.IanClark.com. It takes me some time between capturing an image and getting prints made. If you see a photo that you’d like in one of my posts, send me an email and I’ll bump that image to the head of the queue.

The Weston family couldn’t be found during last week’s census. They’ve been under pressure from intruding loons all spring. They’re on a small pond, not being found in 90 minutes of searching was worrisome. I love how people watch out for ‘their’ loons, I heard from folks who live or have camps on the pond, worried that they hadn’t seen the loons for a couple days. A couple that live on the pond set out Monday to have another look and found the adults and one chick hidden in a remote part of the pond, a much better outcome than we’d feared. I visited Friday the pond Friday morning.

We’ll never know what happened to the missing chick. There are lots of threats, eagles, otters, coyotes if they get too close to shore and more. The intruding loon is also a likely suspect.

An intruding loon arrived on the pond shortly after I did. The Home Team came out from the little cove they’d been foraging in to meet the intruder, the chick hid in the brush. There was enough fog on the pond to make them have to search for him. (I’m guessing the intruder is male, the home team’s male is the more aggressive towards him, with lots yodeling to let us know he’s the male.)

The search continues… Eventually there was a brief skirmish and the intruder retreated to the far end of the pond.

After the intruder retreated, mom collected the chick to get breakfast started. Dad took up station between the family and the intruder. Things were quiet for a time.

There was a flock of tree and barn swallows feeding along the shore and gleaning insects from some of the plants. That’s one lucky bee overhead…..

With a gentle breeze, perching was precarious on the plants.

The flock is much bigger than it was a few weeks ago, this year’s chicks must have joined up. There were swallows coming and going in every direction after insects.

Mr. kingfisher briefly perched nearby while foraging.

Dad has spotted the intruder! He took a short flight to put himself between the intruder and the family.

Mom soon joined the fray. Dad is aggressively displaying and calling.

The intruder retreated down the pond. He didn’t leave, the fight for the territory is likely to continue.

Saturday I visited the Eastons, where both chicks are doing well and things were more peaceful. These chicks are five weeks old. They can’t dive yet, but are learning how to forage in the shallows. Mom and dad will have to provide most of their food for a few more weeks.

The chicks have learned that the water is shallow near rocks above the surface. Both chicks ventured to nearby rocks to forage on their own.

One of the adults herded the chicks into a shallow spot along the shore. The chicks were foraging on their own. The adult was foraging, eating some of the take and sharing some with the chicks.

This chick was “today years old” when it learned that sticks aren’t food.

This chick managed to catch a dragonfly in the brush. It then continued to test the brush to see what else might be good.

The other adult broke up the lesson to deliver second breakfasts. The first course looks to be a shiner.

The other adult appeared with a delicate morsel.

One of the adults arrived with a crayfish. The adult dropped the crayfish in front of the chick, making the chick catch it for itself. Once caught, crayfish have to be lined up to be swallowed tail first.

Ack! The crayfish isn’t very cooperative! It looks like it pinched the chick. The chick tossed it. The adult looking on supervised as the chick caught it again.

Mom had been off preening and trying to nap by herself for a bit. Out chick went over to her. Was it coming for some cuddles, or was it just hungry?

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

Loon Chicks at Four Weeks And More

On July 18, 2022 - Loons, Wildlife Photography

Sunday morning was a beautiful time to pay a visit to the Eastons – the loons in the eastern most pond I visit regularly. The chicks were four weeks old this weekend. Both seem to be doing well.

Our bluebirds have four chicks in their second brood, they should fledge this week. There are at least three chicks from the first brood still around. The like to hunt from the roof of the house, they come and go past my office window regularly.

I’ll be down at the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen’s Fair in August. I’ll have lots of prints of loons and other wildlife and more. Stop by to say hello.

The loons had another visitor before dawn.

A good-sized bull moose was feeding in the shallows of the pond.

The specs above him are flies – either horse or deer. I had impolite words for several that went after me.

His antlers are still in ‘velvet’ – sort of a skin that delivers nutrients to the growing antlers. He’ll scrape off the velvet in late summer, before the rut.

Mom and dad took the chicks into shallow water and showed them how to forage. The chicks can’t dive yet, but can reach down. After a lesson, mom and dad went to work serving up a proper breakfast, mostly crayfish.

The parents will often show the chick the meal, then drop the meal in front of the chick. The chick has to learn how to grab food for itself. I think this is dad showing the chick a crayfish.

Dad dropped the crayfish and watched while the chick tried to catch it.

Our osprey had to work for breakfast. He made five dives without catching anything before heading off over the trees.

After breakfast mom and dad tried to nap.

The chicks gave them a short break before demanding second breakfasts.

I think I’m being chastised. I carry a supply of soda in the boat. When I finish a can, I toss it over my shoulder into the back of the boat. I tossed one and missed without realizing it. I’d padded about 50 yards when dad approached the boat, then veered off towards the can. I promptly went back for it.

Something spooked the loons. I couldn’t figure out what upset them. Mom and dad went off to deal with the threat and the chicks flattened out to be harder to see.

When there’s any sort of breeze that ruffles the water, the chick’s defense is very good. On flat water, they’re more obvious.

Mom on her way to help dad with the threat. They were close to shore of one of the islands in the pond. They made several aggressive dives without my seeing any threat.

The threat neutralized, they returned to delivering second breakfasts. Both parents were bringing food as quickly as they could catch it. Our chick is stretching his leg, they may do this to cool down. Looks like he has some more growing to do before those feet fit.

Second breakfasts finished, the parents took some time to preen. This is dad. He’s wearing bands put on by the Loon Preservation Committee. Banders put four bands on the birds. On the right leg is a silver band with a unique number from the United States Geological Survey. The number is next to impossible to read if you’re not holding the loon. So, banders put another colored band on the right leg and two colored bands on the left. The combination of colors let’s observers identify the loon without having to capture it.

Our osprey returned and made up for his earlier lack of success.

Mom finished preening and gave a good stretch before settling in for a nap.

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Loon Fight For Territory

On June 26, 2022 - Loons, Wildlife Photography

Today was another beautiful day to get out to check on the loons. I headed to the pond where the chicks had yet to hatch when I visited Friday. This is the westernmost pond that I’ve been watching, so these birds are the ‘Westons.’

There was a single loon floating by itself near the boat launch, and a long way from the nest. This is the pond that has had intruders challenging the home team for the territory this spring.

A ways down the pond, I found the home team lazily foraging with two chicks.