Sunday, April 04, 2010

Loon Arrival

Each spring I anticipate the arrival of the Loons. They normally arrive in late March or early April and by mid May the last of them have moved on. Saturday morning, upon arriving at the lake, I heard the beautiful call of the Loon as I was readying the boat for launch.


Soon I spotted a solitary loon fishing in mid-lake. As light levels were still quite low I didn’t attempt to approach it; opting to wait until the morning sun light reached the lake.





After approaching a pair of Red-breasted Merganser in a sunlit portion of the lake I heard a commotion; a loud splashing of water and flapping of wings. Turning around I spotted the loon taking off with water flying high.





Once airborne the loon passed by me, circled and flew out of sight headed in a northerly direction

13 comments:

Chris said...

Hi Coy,
This is a beautiful set of pictures of one of my favorite bird. It is so majestic and as you said their call is so beautiful!!! I've seen ours for the first time of the year two weeks ago, but I was not able to spot them again... Well the lake is frozen again now!

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Wow,that is so gorgeous.Perhaps that Loon was headed for Morden.I can wish,right?
Blessings,Ruth

Elaine said...

Beautiful! The loon seems to just pop out of your header shot.

Peggy said...

Well at least you got some fine flight shots!

Montanagirl said...

Wow, great shots, and I just love the last photo in-flight shot. Superb!

imac said...

Great shots Coy.

Meggie said...

Great shot, Coy! Was this at a lake in PA? When I was in Minnesota I love seeing/hearing loons. I didn't know they we could see them in PA.

Johnny Nutcase said...

beautiful flight shots! Loons are just plain gorgeous, aren't they? I've noticed a lot more recently in the bay here, always love to see them. Wish they wouldn't flush so easily though! Great photos!

Shelley said...

These are my favorite photos of the week Coy! I LOVE those Loons! You captured excellent flight shots! I hope you keep us posted on their progress this summer. I heard the Loons this past weekend but didn't have any photo opportunities. Going to try again next weekend at the cabin. P.S. I am so envious of your blog header!

Debra said...

What a beautiful loon! These are fantastic captures in flight. I don't even know if we have loons here in Oregon....hmmm I'll have to google it to find out.

FAB said...

Super flight pics Coy. Love the new header. FAB.

Tim Rucci said...

Excellent work, Coy. That first flight shot is spectacular! I can imagine the feeling you had watching the loons approach and land on the lake. I haven't seen loons in north Florida, although I know they come through here in the winter time. I saw one last year in Alaska but was not close enough for a decent photo.

Linda said...

Loons are my favourite water bird ... I just hearing their call when we are at the lake.