Common Loon (Gavia immer) - Logan Lake, BC
Being out on the water with a family of Common Loons is petty special. It's especially wonderful to watch the young riding on the parents' backs. This one was doing that along with his sibling (not pictured). My friend Roy and I went for a long drive and were kind of thrilled it was pouring rain because we wanted nice photos of the loons in the sun but it actually turned out to be a magical experience and the rain added a moody effect. We found a Loon on a nest which was amazing to see and had an adult Northern Goshawk fly right over us. It was worth spending hours in an exposed boat in the rain and peaceful to sit their listening to the haunting cries of these very attentive parents who fed their young constantly. It's amazing that these birds that help to indicate water quality can eat 1/2 ton of fish in 15 weeks. They have solid bones that help them dive
This trip was a memory I won't soon forget.
A few cool facts about this indicator species. The oldest Common Loon ever recorded was just 2 months shy of 30 years old.
We know Loons need clear water quality to find fish but they also have solid bones unlike most birds. They can quickly blow air out of their lungs and flatten their feathers to expel air within their plumage, so they can dive quickly and swim fast underwater like an otter. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all my friends here.
Common Loon (Gavia immer) - Logan Lake, BC
Being out on the water with a family of Common Loons is petty special. It's especially wonderful to watch the young riding on the parents' backs. This one was doing that along with his sibling (not pictured). My friend Roy and I went for a long drive and were kind of thrilled it was pouring rain because we wanted nice photos of the loons in the sun but it actually turned out to be a magical experience and the rain added a moody effect. We found a Loon on a nest which was amazing to see and had an adult Northern Goshawk fly right over us. It was worth spending hours in an exposed boat in the rain and peaceful to sit their listening to the haunting cries of these very attentive parents who fed their young constantly. It's amazing that these birds that help to indicate water quality can eat 1/2 ton of fish in 15 weeks. They have solid bones that help them dive
This trip was a memory I won't soon forget.
A few cool facts about this indicator species. The oldest Common Loon ever recorded was just 2 months shy of 30 years old.
We know Loons need clear water quality to find fish but they also have solid bones unlike most birds. They can quickly blow air out of their lungs and flatten their feathers to expel air within their plumage, so they can dive quickly and swim fast underwater like an otter. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all my friends here.