Common Loon
by Donna Doherty
Title
Common Loon
Artist
Donna Doherty
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
Up in New Hampshire near the Maine border, at my father-in-law's camp there is a loon couple and every year we get to see them raise their family. This past year they just had one baby (usually there are two). I love kayaking out there early in the morning and just kicking back and watching them feed the baby and have their morning bath etc. I use my zoom lens and give them plenty of space especially when the baby (babies) are little. They know I respect them and that I'm a friend and I constantly watch for signs from them that they are at all uncomfortable, always making sure they have plenty of personal space to feel safe. Loons are endangered and it's very important to not disturb them so they continue to be successful raising their young and come back year after year.
I recently wondered when the Common Loons eyes turned red since they aren't born red and I found out that they are only red in summer! In winter their eyes go back to brownish. Supposedly the red helps them see under water. I also found out that the babies fly south a little after the parents in the fall and they stay down there and don't return for 3 years. They can start having their own families at 4 but the average age is often 7 because they have to establish a breeding ground. The mom and dad often winter separately, up to hundreds of miles apart, but then will get back together in spring at their same lake. They can live up to 20-30 years!
Uploaded
April 12th, 2015
Statistics
Viewed 677 Times - Last Visitor from Ottawa, ON - Canada on 04/16/2024 at 2:00 PM
Embed
Share
Sales Sheet
Comments
There are no comments for Common Loon . Click here to post the first comment.