Posts Tagged: loons

A Morning with the Middletons

On July 5, 2025 - Loons, Wildlife Photography

Early on the Fourth of July, I got up, looked out and saw lots of stars. And some fog down in the valley. From above, it didn’t look very thick, I set out to visit the Middletons and their chick. (As my naming scheme would suggest, I’m calling the chick ‘Littleton’)

The fog was lifting off the Connecticut as I crossed and was thin over the meadows and marsh as I approached the pond. But, the fog was thick on the pond, another dreary start for photos. After a bit of searching, I discovered dad on babysitting duty just outside the Middletons’ favorite cove for breakfast.

Mom was foraging lazily, sometimes for herself, sometimes for the chick. She paused to give a nice stretch. I was hopeful the fog was lifting a bit…..

Mom looked good, I was still hoping that things would brighten for some more pop in the pix.

Our intruder reappeared! She was running a bit later than usual, but arrived and challenged the Middletons. Both adult Middletons went down the pond to face off with her. After a bit of displaying, the intruder departed.

The Middletons headed back to catch up with Littleton, passing close by my boat. The intruder flew a couple laps around the pond on her way out. Dad yodeled to tell her to get moving elsewhere.

Dad collected Littleton. Mom took a nice stretch – the fog had lifted nicely and things had brightened up, cheering me.

Dad and Littleton awaiting the next course – in brighter light.

Even nicer light…. Dad was patrolling outside the cove. I suspect he was watching the pond to make sure the intruder didn’t return. With the nice light, I hoped they’d stick around for photos. But, the darned birds swam down the pond to forage in deep shadows. They weren’t very successful. I couldn’t help thinking it served them right.

After a time in the shadows, they continued down the pond to another favorite feeding spot. Mom took time to show off with a nice stretch. I took back what I’d thought.

And dad joined in with his own stretch. In the 13 years I’ve been watching the loons, I’ve only seen both stretching at the same time a small handful of times. And never close enough together to fit in the frame.

They arrived in relatively shallow water where they like to forage and went to it. After a couple quick meals for Littleton, dad nabbed himself a good-sized sunfish.

Mom must have thought that looked good, she went and got her own.

And promptly went back for seconds. You can see her bands just below the water back by her tail.

Dad returned to help himself to another sunfish from the buffet.

Loons have to swallow fish head first to avoid being poked by the fish’s fins. Dad is lining the sunfish up.

And down it goes….. While Dad was on his second fish, Mom went back for a third. She ate something approaching three pounds of fish within six minutes.

Both parents then took some time to find more breakfast for Littleton. After mom delivered a meal with a weed wrapped around it, Littleton had it stuck in his? bill. Should I tell him?

When Littleton had his fill, mom stretched again and the family settled in for a nap as I headed out.

An update on the Eastons coming soon!

birds, common loons, loon chicks, loons

The Middletons Have a Chick – and a Fight

On July 1, 2025 - Loons, Wildlife Photography

Monday morning was clear when I got up, but with some fog hugging the Connecticut River below us. I figured it would lift quickly enough and it was worth a trip to check on the Middletons.

The League of New Hampshire Craftsmen’s Fair is coming up. I’m already printing and framing new work. Save the dates and plan a trip to the Fair.

The videos of the tree swallows in the nesting box stopped after the chicks came to a sad end. The kestrel returned and took the last two chicks. Tough to watch, but that’s the way nature works. The wrens are raising their chicks in another box about 24 feet away from this one. I was surprised to see a second family of wrens claim the tree swallow’s box within the hour of the kestrel getting the chicks.

When I arrived at the Middletons’ pond, it was still in a thick fog – visibility was limited to something like 100 feet. I set out looking for the loons.

Soon, I found what turned out to be mom, apparently sleeping alone. I’d missed when they laid their egg, I figured we were still waiting. After a few minutes, dad appeared – coming out of the fog from the opposite direction of the nest. And carrying a fish. A chick appeared from under mom’s wing and went to get breakfast.

The chick hatched sometime since last Thursday. My best guess is he? is a couple days old, probably hatching Saturday.

Watching was more enjoyable than trying to get photos through the heavy fog, so I settled in to watch. And was soon fighting dozing off. I heard a swooshing and roused myself in time to see our intruding loon – probably the female that was keeping company with Mr. Middleton earlier in the spring – as she landed near the family. (How the heck does a loon navigate in fog that limits visibility to just a couple hundred feet?)

The Middletons were not about to have her around the chick and mom set out after her. The intruder took off wing rowing across the pond.

Dad hung back with the chick, but yodeled to let the intruder know the home team was ready to fight.

The intruder disappeared down the pond and mom returned to the family, giving a nice stretch.

Dad kept charge of the chick, leading him towards shallow water for more breakfast. Mom was alert and patrolled between the family and where the intruder was last seen.

Mom spotted the intruder again, and set out to send her packing.

Mom and the intruder fought for several minutes. Mom doing the penguin dance between dives, the intruder staying mostly underwater.

Loons do the penguin dance only under extreme stress. Males are more likely than females to dance, but females will too. That mom’s dancing is more evidence that the intruder is female – loons are more likely to fight the same sex loon.

Once again, the intruder went wing rowing away down the pond. Mom gave up pursuit after a bit.

Mom took a moment to stretch before rejoining the family. With the intruder out of the way, it was time to get serious about rustling up some breakfast.

Mom soon came up with what looks like a large mouth bass. That’s going to be a challenge for the chick. The chick gave it a good try before dropping the fish. Mom retrieved it.

Ok, let’s try this again…. easy now, don’t drop it…. Yup, he dropped it and mom retrieved it again.

Third times the charm…. or is it? The chick doesn’t seem to have learned where mom stops and the food begins…. The chick dropped the fish a couple more times before mom gave up and ate it herself.

Dad came in with a much more manageable snack.

Mom is looking for another meal. The chick took matters into his own bill. And tried a pine needle found floating nearby. Pine needles do not make good breakfasts.

Mom is back again with an oversize fish. This time, the chick was able to get it down with some work.

Mom showed up with yet another fish to challenge the chick …

The chick was up for the challenge this time…. going….. going….. gone!

Mom was sticking with what works… here’s another impossibly large fish.

Mom fetches it again and again hands it off….

The chick looks to have a good hold on it, mom is keeping a close eye on it….

Looks like a good grip, just need to line the fish up to go down head first….. and he drops it! Mom very patiently retrieves it again…..

Mom and the chick are determined to make this work…. trying again…. And he drops it! Mom put her head underwater and the fish wasn’t seen again – most likely mom ate it.

And the intruder reappeared at the far end of the pond!

This time dad is going to head out to join mom in chasing the intruder away. First, he lead the chick up close to my boat – they’re smart enough to know that being close to a boat provides the chick some protection from threats – especially airborne threats. If you’re on a pond and a loon asks you to ‘babysit’ just put your paddles down and sit still. Let the loons do what they need.

The chick sheltered behind my boat, away from the action where the intruder couldn’t see him.

Mom and dad again forced the intruder to retreat… dad’s taking a victory stretch.

The parents returned to collect the chick and headed out to finish breakfast. I lost track and don’t know who I caught stretching.

After a couple minutes for a quick preen, dad took the chick aboard. The chick is checking to see if feathers make good breakfast.

Another round of fish and it looked like the Middletons could settle in for a nap.

They weren’t so lucky – as I was pulling the boat out I heard dad yodeling and lots of wing rowing as the intruder came back.

Intruders will try to kill the chick or a parent if they can. The fight is for the territory. With a chick the home team has great incentive to hold onto the territory. If they lose it or a mate, they may give up and relinquish the territory. I expect we’ll see more skirmishing with the intruder.

birds, loon chicks, loon territory dispute, loons, territory dispute

Loon Update June 25, 2025

On June 25, 2025 - Loons, Wildlife Photography

I’ve had a chance to check in with all three loon families since Saturday evening. Good news on all fronts.

I identify the loon families with pseudonyms to protect their privacy. Every year, I get dozens of requests to know where I am. While I usually try to help out responsible photographers, it just wouldn’t be fair to these loons to have hordes visiting them. If you’d like to see loons, you can visit most any lake or pond in northern New Hampshire or Vermont (Thanks Vermont Center for Ecostudies and Loon Preservation Committee). Please be respectful and keep your distance. Expect to spend some time to get good photos – I spend something like 200 hours a year on the loons’ ponds to get the shots I get.

This Saturday, June 28, I’ll be up at the Burklyn Arts Summer Fair at the Fenton Chester Arena, 145 College Rd, Lyndon Center, VT (on the Lyndon Institute campus), 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. I’ll be selling note cards and prints large and small. Come on by and say hello.

Last Saturday morning, I stopped by to visit the Middletons. Mom had taken the overnight shift on the nest. Dad was leisurely cruising his pond.

I love watching the fog lift as the first light hits the pond.

Dad took one last stretch before heading in to relieve mom.

Mom came off the nest and took a couple big stretches.

Mom settled in for a nap, I wandered off to see who else was out and about.

I passed a Luna moth floating on the water. I turned around to pull him out of the water. He rode comfortably on my knapsack while he dried out.

Eventually, he climbed up the knapsack onto the gunwale – and back into the water. I turned around to pull him out again. I took him to shore and set him on a branch. And he promptly walked back into the water….. I pulled him out again and kept him aboard until I started packing up. This time I walked him a few yards from shore and put him down on some leaves.

Male Luna moths have bigger, bushier antennae than the females. It is thought this helps them detect the pheromones that the ladies give off.

His tail was damaged, he probably couldn’t fly. My bringing him ashore likely postponed the inevitable only briefly. Luna moths live only about a week as moths. They don’t have mouths, their goal is to reproduce before passing on.

Not long after finding the moth, an intruding loon flew in. I’m guessing this is the unbanded female that was seen keeping company with Mr. Middleton earlier in the year. No way to know, but seems a likely guess. After a brief display between Mrs. M and the intruder, the intruder dove. I was a couple hundred yards away from the action and quickly lost track of both loons. After a couple minutes, a submerged loon appeared and swam directly under my boat and popped up on the far side – hidden from Mrs. M.

The intruder looked around for a few seconds before taking off.

And by request, another turtle shot. The Middletons’ pond has a good population of both snapping and painted turtles. This painted turtle was suffering from the bugs. He scooted back and forth on the log and repeatedly swiped a foot over his head to clear the mosquitos away.

Saturday evening was still warm, but relatively still. I headed up to check on the Westons and their chicks. The chicks hatched on June 7 & 8, making the oldest one 14 days old on Saturday.

The Westons live on a quiet pond, I rarely see other boats out on it. When I arrived Saturday night, there were four canoes afloat. I looked and looked for the Westons before discovering they’d retreated to the furthest reaches of the pond. They promptly announced they were uninterested in receiving visitors.

I took a couple quick shots and left to let them be.

Sunday morning I went back up to visit them.

They were back on the main body of the pond, cruising slowly. The parents took turns foraging and providing small meals.

After a time, they found a spot for some serious foraging. Both parents went to work delivering a steady stream of small meals. Eventually, one parent dove and I lost track.

Splashing behind me alerted me to where the parent had gotten to. The loon made a couple of aggressive dives, I thought there was a threat below the surface. But, shortly afterwards, the parent came up with a good-sized horned pout.

The parent making the handoff to the chick….

The chick made a valiant effort…. but putting a half pound of fish into a quarter pound chick is a challenge..

The fish slips away…. When the chicks are very young, the parents swim in and retrieve the lost meal. This time, the parent let the chick do the work to recover the fish.

The chick managed to catch the fish and bring it back to the surface. The chick continued to try to get it down. Eventually the chick dropped it and the parent spent a few moments with his head underwater. The fish wasn’t seen again, I suspect the parent made it a meal.

I poked around the pond some, without finding anyone out and about to be photographed. As I headed in, one of the chicks gave me a nice wing stretch. I like this guy!

Yesterday I was back to visit the Middletons. I didn’t see when they laid their eggs, so I’m not sure when to expect them to hatch. It is likely several more days. They had the first quiet morning I’ve seen this season. Dad was floating not far from the nest when I arrived. He went out for a quick breakfast before returning to take over nest duty.

Mom came off the nest and posed nicely for me. I looked around a bit. The red-winged blackbirds are coming and going with groceries to their nests hidden in the reeds. The kingbirds were busy catching dragonflies. Everyone else seemed to be high in the canopy. I headed out to get some errands done.

This morning the forecast was for a few clouds giving way to sunshine. When I peeked out at 3:15, there was a ribbon of fog over the Connecticut and just a few clouds to the east. I thought I was in luck and headed to check in with the Eastons.

Mom was sleeping in on the nest. I set out the LPC’s sign to warn people away from the nest. She woke briefly to see what I was up to and promptly went back to sleep. The few clouds I’d seen were in perfect position to block the morning sun.

I waited a bit for the sun to break through. After a time, I gave up and headed for the boat launch. And the sun came out. I turned back and headed down the pond in time to see dad show up and take over the nest.

I swung by to get his photo as it started to rain lightly.

I turned to leave again. And the sun came out again, looking like it was out to stay. I paddled to the far end of the pond before it started to rain slightly. Then steadily. I put the boat on the car in a downpour. By the time I got back to the hardtop, I was wearing my sunglasses. Gotta love New England weather!

birds, common loons, loon chicks, loons

Updates on the Loons, Swallows & Foxes

On June 15, 2025 - Foxes, Loons, Tree Swallow Cam, Wildlife Photography

Happy Nature Photography Day! Seems like a good time for an update.

A couple days ago, the tree swallows nesting in the box on the deck declared us persona non grata and have been defending the yard. This morning, they’ve been chattering away more than usual and both parents are popping in and out of the box regularly. Just a few minutes ago, I got the first glimpse of the chicks:

I stopped in to see the Middletons on the fifth. I found only one loon on the pond at daybreak. I went looking to see if the second was sitting on the nest. I looked in in the places they’ve nested before, without finding a nest.

I did find one of the herons foraging in the brush in a cove.

When I came out of the cove, I found two loons wing rowing across the pond. It turned out that Mrs. Middleton was chasing an unbanded loon from the pond. Here’s the intruder departing the pond.

A little more looking and I found Mr. Middleton sitting on a nest in a new spot, well hidden by the reeds. I put the Loon Preservation Committee’s sign out to warn people away from the nest.

Last Sunday, I visited the Westons. The forecast called for a sunny morning. It was clear here on the hill when I woke. The Weston’s pond was socked in with fog. We were at the beginning of the window where the chicks might hatch.

The fog was thick enough to make it hard to tell what was going on around the pond. I headed down to the entrance of the cove where the Weston’s nest.

Both loons were near the nest – I couldn’t see them through the fog, but they were both wailing. Soon, four otters appeared from the direction of the nest. Otters are a real threat to chicks and eggs and I’ve seen a video of one attacking an adult loon on a nesting platform. One of the otters came over to have a look at me.

One of the parents appeared and gave a foggy morning stretch.

The off-duty parent headed out of the cove and some time later reappeared – carrying a fingerling. They must have a chick!

I moved to let me see the nest. There was a chick taking one of its first swims – under close supervision. There was a still a second egg in the nest. Friends told me the second chick hatched later Sunday. I had to head out before the fog lifted.

On Wednesday, I had a chance to visit the fox den again. The last two trips, I’ve seen only one kit at a time, I’m not sure if they’re taking turns out of the den or if we’ve lost the second kit.

The kit that was out and about wasn’t fooled by my being in the blind and spent some time watching me.

And paying attention to anything that made noise in the brush.

Which proved to be a tiring business. Look at that tongue, maybe I should do a Tongue Out Tuesday post.

Friday morning, I headed up to see the Eastons. They’re behind schedule. Their chicks usually hatch the third weekend in June, but they hadn’t laid their eggs by my last visit.

There was a family of geese with six goslings foraging in the shallow water.

I heard a commotion – lots of splashing and then a wail. The Eastons were rousting an intruder. After a little more kerfuffle, the intruder departed.

On my previous visits, I hadn’t been able to see any loon legs, so I wasn’t sure if Mr. Easton had returned. This time, I got a good look at both legs, this is the same male that’s been here for at least five years.

After preening a bit, he gave a good stretch and went to join Mrs. Easton in real estate hunting.

They checked out last year’s nesting site and discussed it at length. Before I left the pond, I caught them mating on the site, looks like they just got a delayed start this year.

Another family of geese stood guard by the boat launch as I headed out.

Looks like more rain the start of this week, I’ll be back out when we get a decent morning.

bird videos, foxes, loons, nest cam, tree swallows

The Rain Finally Let Up

On May 14, 2025 - Loons, Wildlife Photography

After a long stretch of windy, rainy days, I was able to get the boat out yesterday to see who’s about on the ponds. I headed up to visit the Westons Tuesday and the Middletons today.

I’ve been playing with a GoPro waterproof video camera and caught this cute scene:

The Westons’ pond has a lot of marsh with very clear, shallow water. The turtles have awakened for the season. First there were lots of painted turtles around. I found several huddles and a few parades – a couple to several turtles following each other underwater. My guess is the leader is a cute lady turtle. The snapping turtles seem to take longer to wake in the spring. Perhaps it just takes longer for the longer turtles to warm? One of my goals for the camera is to get some footage of the snappers underwater.

The Weston’s pond was downright balmy when I arrived, 43° with a light breeze. Any wind ruffles the water, you’ll notice lots of my shots take advantage of the flat water for the reflections. And, working with a long lens in a kayak, even a gentle breeze makes it difficult to manage.

Paddling down the sunny side of the pond, I heard lots of warblers. They were all feeding high in the trees, well away from photographers. Eastern kingbirds are back along with Baltimore orioles. Both were occupied where I could see but not photograph them. The loons seemed to be exploring real estate for their nest. I amused myself taking photos of the red-winged blackbirds. The males return earlier than the females to scout a territory. The females are back in force now and the males are busy trying to get their attention.

When a pretty female flew through the marsh, several males would perch in the clear and sing and display.

When waiting for a lady to visit, they practiced looking good.

Or snacking. This bird dug deep into a cattail.

And came up with what looks like a spider.

Then off to the next perch to be ready for the ladies again.

A closer look found that the Westons have chosen their nest site and there was a loon already sitting on it. The last few years, the Westons have been the first to nest by a week or 10 days. Looks like they’re ahead again.

Shift change came for nesting duty and the loons took to the main part of their pond to breakfast together. An intruding loon arrived on the pond and I snuck a look at the nest – with a 600mm lens staying well back. They’ve got an egg!

In a short while, the intruder was sent packing and the loons returned to their cove and one climbed onto the nest. The sun was well up and the wind picked up, I retreated to head home.

This morning, I headed out to visit the Middletons. The forecasted clouds weren’t to be found, the pond was dead still and it was warm enough to feel my fingers as I headed out before dawn.

As I paddled out from the boat launch, an intruding loon arrived on the pond. The Middletons went to evict him(?).

When there’s a territory dispute on the pond, it is hard to tell the players. They’re all wearing the same colors and lots of the action is underwater. I quickly lose track of who is who. Here’s someone trying to impress the others that he or she is too big and tough to be messed with. While this was going on, a fourth loon arrived on the pond.

The first stage of a territory dispute is circling and sizing each other up. I’m convinced that the position of their heads is communicating something – probably just as well for the blog that I can’t translate it.

Here’s what I think is Mr. Middleton winding up to yodel at the intruders. Only males yodel and it is a sign of aggression and that the dispute is escalating.

After a lot of circling and some aggressive dives someone went wing rowing down the pond away from the group. (Someone asked at one of my talks how you can tell if a dive is aggressive. The best answer is the same way you can tell your wife’s mood by the way she closes a door.)

Shortly afterwards, the wing-rowing loon departed the pond. The remaining challenger moved off away from the Middletons who went to breakfast at the other end of the pond.

Peace wasn’t to last too long. 30 or 40 minutes later, a loon landed on the pond. Maybe the same one that had retreated, but no way to tell. Here’s one of the Middletons with a full head of steam – look at the wake he’s? pushing as he heads out to meet the intruder. There was a brief bit of circling and a few dives before I lost track of all three loons. The Middletons appeared far from the action after a time. The intruder must have flown off without my seeing.

Now the Middletons had another chance for breakfast and headed to the cove where they like to find it.

There was still one intruder on the pond – one of the ones that arrived around dawn. After the Middletons foraged a bit, they returned to the main pond. The intruder was sticking close to the shore, well away from them. They didn’t seem concerned with the intruder, who eventually left without a kerfuffle.

With the Middletons settling in for a nap, I went to see who else out out. This spotted sandpiper flew in for a cameo, landing briefly on this log.

With the sun out and rapidly warming temps, the painted turtles were climbing out on every rock and log they could find to bask.

This guy kept a close eye on my as I went by, but seemed to comfortable to give up his spot.

And just when I thought I had my ducks in a row….. four mallard drakes were swimming along the edge of the reeds. By the time the camera came up, one had other ideas.

It was getting to be time to head out, so I took the boat back to the launch. As I was putting the kayak straps on the car, I looked up and saw a veery sitting on a branch just about over the other side of the car. He? was unbothered by me, and flew down to forage on the ground next to the car while I packed up.

He even posed nicely in the sunlight for me – a treat since they usually stay under cover in the woods.

I’m watching the weather for tomorrow morning. One app says rain, the other says no….

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

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

A Foggy Morning with the Middletons

On September 10, 2024 - Loons, Wildlife Photography

Last week I had a chance to visit with the Middletons on a foggy morning, here’s a brief update.

And, I’ve gotten a slew of new subscribers in the past week. Welcome. I follow loons on three ponds every year. To protect their privacy, I don’t share which ponds. But the loons on the pond to my east are the ‘Eastons,’ the loons to my west are the ‘Westons.’ The pond in the middle hosts the Middletons.

This coming weekend, I’ll be at the Artrider Fall Crafts at Lyndhurst Show in Tarrytown, NY. Stop by and say hello. All the details about the show are on Artrider’s site https://www.artrider.com/fall-crafts-at-lyndhurst-2024.

Next, I’ll be teaching a workshop, Photographing Your Student Athlete at the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester on September 28. This is designed for parents with kids playing in Little League through varsity. We’ll be working with cameras with interchangeable lenses, if you’re shooting with a phone, this may not be for you. All the details on the Currier’s site https://currier.org/class/photography-in-motion-with-ian-clark/.

Just a couple more…. I’ll be giving my slideshow An Uncommon Look at the Common Loon at the Town Hall in Richford, VT, Saturday, October 5 at 10 am and again at the Hartland, VT, Public Library on November 6. Still working to find the exact time, but it will be something like 5 pm. I’ll post when we get it finalized.

On to the loons… The Middleton chicks were 11-weeks-old when I visited last week. They look like they’re doing well. Dad (he’s banded) was the only adult on the pond. This time of year, it is likely that mom took some time off and is resting on a nearby pond. You’ll see why she needed a break below.

The chicks are pretty independent and are perfectly capable of foraging for themselves. That doesn’t stop them from demanding food from the parents. Here’s one of our chicks resting as the sun rises.

Dad appeared out of the fog and gave a nice stretch.

He was quickly joined by one of the hungry chicks.

I love watching the sun filter through the fog and trees. It makes getting a good shot challenging, but when it works, it’s wonderful.

The other chick tracked dad down and started pestering him for a meal. The chicks will poke at, and pull feathers on their parent when they want a meal. They usually aim for the parent’s neck or breast. And they’re persistent. This time of year, I often see parents hand off a meal and almost immediately dive again to get away from the chick. Dad wasn’t interested in diving and suffered the consequences. The first photo I have of this chick getting in his face was at 07:42, the chick was still at it when I left at 08:30. I’m convinced this is why the parents are the first to leave the pond in the fall.

Dad turned away from the chick and tried to stretch his leg. The chick was content to give it a good tug.

Back around front, the chick tries poking dad’s chin.

Dad still isn’t getting the hint but our chick isn’t giving up….

Dad tries to put some space between him and the chick. But the chick isn’t having it….

The chick tries dad’s neck again…. Look at the chick’s upper bill, you can see he’s gotten under dad’s feathers.

Dad is slow on the uptake this morning and the chick gets in a good poke. Dad is probably deliberately ignoring the chick to get him to forage on his own.

The chick moves around to the back of the neck again – he’s got a good bite of dad.

Dad still isn’t taking the hint, the chick tries the left side of his neck…

As I was getting ready to head out, our chick gave a nice stretch.

I hope to get back out to visit the families again next week, will update when I can.

birding, loon chicks, loons, new hampshire wildlife

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

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