13th
2009
Lone Loon on Caesar Pond: I am so thankful that Neighbor Carla called me up and suggested that we go kayaking this morning. We got another rather late start (about 9am), and were lamenting the fact that there were absolutely no birds on the pond today. That changed after about an hour of paddling when a common loon surface in the middle of the pond. We paddled toward it and were able to get photos of it for about 20 minutes as it dove, caught a snail, and proceeded to prep it for eating. The loon would wash it in the water, hold it up, wash it again, hold it up, and finally positioned it in his mouth for the swallow! He was incredibly tolerant of us and would dive periodically and surface next to us! Amazing…unfortunately, we couldn’t maneuver to the east side of him for better light.
I think this is the common loon that has been frequenting Caesar Pond for at least the last 9 years. He has been a bachelor the entire time, as far as I can tell. Apparently, loons seldom mate for life, and a typical adult loon is likely to have 4 to 5 mates over a lifetime. “The birds are not paired throughout the year and arrive separately on the breeding ground. The pair bond of loons does not outlast each pair member’s ability to defend its breeding position from intruders of its own sex. Both males and females can be driven off their territories by intruders.” (Dr. Walter Piper, Asst. prof. Biological Sciences at Chapman University)
So, again…the photos were taken into the morning light which results in a lack of detail and lack of color (all black and white). This was the best I could do under the circumstances. I am so pleased, though, because they are still the best loon photos I have had an opportunity of taking. Would you like to see what a professional photographer can do with a loon photo? Go to Jeff Nadler’s website. Stunning work! His photos brought tears to my eyes when I saw them this morning. Now…that’s something to shoot for! With enough practice, and getting out more into nature, maybe…just maybe…I can reach higher photographic standards…
