Friday, June 13, 2008

 

The "LOON"!

If there is one sound in the Canadian wilderness that "stirs" your blood, gives you "goosebumps", makes the hair on your neck "stand", and puts your body into "tune" with nature, it is the "call of the Loon", especially at the "crack of dawn", or at "sunset". I personally have been favoured to hear it during my career many thousands of times, and I have observed these birds. Amazing "fishermen", amazing "swimmers", amazing "parents". At Nestor Falls, just out from the Float Base, a piece of "floating bog" broke from shore, drifted across the lake, and then the roots struck bottom in the middle of "Dawes Bay", and the bog became "anchored" again. Vegetation has grown, and you guessed it, a pair of "mating" Loons made a nest. "Smart birds", building a nest away from predators. Anyways, I took out the "crash" boat the other day, as we can always see the male and female Loons both from the floating docks, one on the nest, the other "patrolling" the nest "perimeter". I tried to get close without disturbing the birds.........

 

Anchored "floating bog" with "tenants"...........

 

I get "closer".............

 

The "male" Loon comes close to the boat and tries to lead me away..........

 

"Closer" yet.........

 

The "female" Loon becomes annoyed with my presence, I back off, time to use my camera "ZOOM".........

 

"WOW!" Nature "reproduces"..........

 

Ever alert, the female Loon watches, as her "fur-ball" huddles for warmth.

 

In this "shot", the "mother Loon" looks me "straight in the eye". She never moved from her nest, so I am sure the "fur-ball" you see was "first-born". I know Loon families I have seen before in the "wild" usually consists of 2 to 3 "young 'uns". One other amazing fact? Loons are "monogamous", and spend their summers together raising their chicks. In the fall and winter months, the adult loons fly to separate wintering locations, often in the Pacific, until the courtship reunion next spring. Final word of my "Post" goes to..........

THE CALL OF - The "LOON"!

MORE INFO - Loons!

# posted by Steve @ 5:58 PM
Comments:
wow steve! wonderful pictures. i love waking up to the call of the loon.

-Duncan
# posted by Anonymous Anonymous : 10:44 PM
 
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