Loon Survey Week 1.

Loons at the north end of Caesar Pond. See the turtle in the background?

I think the loons arrived at Caesar Pond yesterday. They are noisy at night, probably to keep predators at bay. There is one pair of loons at the moment. I just learned that a loon pair that nested successfully one year, may reuse the same nest site the next year, if that male is nesting on the same water area. Males may arrive at Caesar Pond a few weeks before females arrive.

I would motor in the direction of the loons and then sit quietly. They were busy feeding and didn't pay attention to me. I had my Canon with its 70-200mm lens with a 1.4x teleconverter on it. I also had the Nikon P1000 bridge camera in case I had to take some shots across the pond. I am so pleased with this photo. (Click on it for a larger and more detailed view.)

Here the loon is starting a dive.

I wish that I had taken our little ApeMan camera (a cheaper GoPro type of underwater camera) with me because the loons swam underwater right next to the boat. I might have been able to get some cool shots. I'll have to remember to use it next time. By the way, I pulled my motor up out of the water so the loons wouldn't bump into it or the blade.

Then, they would surface nearby. This is one of the best loon shots I have ever taken. What a great morning communing with the loons. I am hoping to get some action shots the next time I go boating. (Click on it for a larger and more detailed view.) 

What made this pond prowl more special is that it is the first time that I have been in my boat in two years (2 knee surgeries later.)

For information Loon behavior and breeding, I often refer to the Loon Preservation Committee out of New Hampshire.