Monday morning there were stars above and a thick fog over the river in the valley below. I decided to risk a trip to visit the Eastons. Most of the trip to the pond was slow going through the fog. As I started to climb towards the pond, I rose back above the fog to find a beautiful morning.
Dad was foraging by himself near the boat launch, he paddled in close to hoot softly to me before returning to feasting on crayfish. Mom called a couple times while I was getting the boat in the water. This is the pond where Dad is banded, letting me tell who is who if I can see a leg.
Heading down the pond, I encounter our great blue heron doing some predawn fishing. And our other heron posing nicely in front of the shadows.
The chicks were keeping mom busy. They’re very demanding, poking and pulling feathers whenever she got near. She didn’t spend much time on the surface, she’d dive quickly when a chick got near. I’m convinced this is why the parents leave the pond before the chicks – they just want some peace.
Mom has just handed off a crayfish that the chick swallowed quickly. The chick started to crowd mom to encourage her to find more. Just in case mom forgot she has chicks and chicks get hungry, our chick gives her a gentle reminder that it is time to eat. Mom takes the hint and finds another crayfish. Mom dives again before the chick can grab some feathers. Mom is looking good. She surfaces close in, but on the side of the boat where she’s hidden from the chicks. One of the chicks wanders off on his own and waits for me to look the other way before practicing taking off. They’ll both be practicing, but there’s still a while before they get airborne. Mom passing by with another crayfish for the chicks. The crayfish isn’t going to last very long. Giving a quick head shake after swallowing the crayfish. Mom serves up yet another crayfish. Our chick wrangles the crayfish into position. The chick is trying to swallow this one head first, the crayfish objects. The crayfish gets a temporary reprieve as the chick spits it out. He’ll flip it around and swallow it tail first. The chick seems to be pleased with the way that battle turned out. Mom is inbound with another crayfish, but needs to stop and stretch. One of our chicks takes a moment to stretch. Our chicks posing nicely for a pic. The chicks are still hungry and need to remind mom they’d like to be fed. Mom comes through with one more crayfish before I had to head out.
Heading back to the boat launch, I pass dad who is lazily paddling along, seemingly enjoying the peace and quiet on this end of the pond.
I was surprised the fog hadn’t shown up on the pond, there’s usually a period where the pond gets foggy as the fog lifts from the valley. Driving back towards home, I discovered why – the fog was still sitting heavy on the river.
Back at the house, the goldfinches have discovered the thistle I left for them.
A small charm of goldfinches are enjoying the thistle as it goes to seed.
Thank you for another beautiful morning at the pond with the loon family. Those chicks look large enough to get their own crayfish. When will they stop pestering the parents for more food?
The chicks are doing more and more of their own foraging. But, like all teenagers, they’re happy to have the parents provide. The parents will be spending more time on their own on the pond and likely will take brief trips to surround ponds until they leave towards the end of September or early October. Until then, the chicks will encourage them to provide meals.
Thank you for another beautiful morning at the pond with the loon family. Those chicks look large enough to get their own crayfish. When will they stop pestering the parents for more food?
The chicks are doing more and more of their own foraging. But, like all teenagers, they’re happy to have the parents provide. The parents will be spending more time on their own on the pond and likely will take brief trips to surround ponds until they leave towards the end of September or early October. Until then, the chicks will encourage them to provide meals.