Friday, May 29, 2009

Loon Togetherness (and a Loon Poem!)

Loon week is almost coming to an end (sadly - but you know I'm going to post 10,000 more Loon photos before the summer is over - ha!)

I wanted to share a Loon poem with you that my good friend Michele wrote for me. She is such a talented poet, please visit her HERE and read this special poem first. This will set the "Loon mood."

One thing that always touches my heart about the Loons is the tender relationship that the male and female Loon have with each other. They are always together, always looking out for each other.


I love how they constantly swim so close to one another....






When one of them is fishing, the other one keeps an eye out for danger.





And they enjoy relaxing together, thinking about all the fish they are going to catch and how they are going to protect their Loon chicks once they are hatched. It's true Loon love!

27 comments:

Jayne said...

How sweet! And what a lovely poem too. :c)

Wall-to-wall books said...

It is truly a love story of the best kind. Is there a children s book about loons? If not there should be. I think you should do the photography and your friend Michele should write the text! I'm serious!
I think it would be a hit especially in the Adirondacks!

Adrienne Zwart said...

What a nice friend to compose such a lovely poem for you. The loons really do seem to have an extraordinary relationship.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Shelly: I love your loon shots. They ride really low in the water. I really do love the color.
BTW: That goose always enjoys standing on the stone. He is the king of the group.

Anonymous said...

I don't know a lot about loons, other than what they look like and how they sound. Do they stick around for the winter?

Peggy said...

Beautiful poem and nice pictures to go with them!

Ginnymo said...

I love your photos Shelly and the poem was so nice. You should put the poem onto one of your pictures. If you can't, I can..Just ask. :)

Montanagirl said...

Shelley, those are such beautiful photos! I went over and read the poem your friend wrote. Very nice. It has inspired me to post a photo and poem that I wrote about a dragonfly that was published in Birds & Blooms.Watch for it in the next few days. I have always loved dabbling in poetry.

Deb said...

Such a sweet post about your Loon love :-) What a sweet little couple you have at the cottage :-)

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

Last October in New Jersey I saw Common Loons in non-breeding plumage for the first time. I wouldn't even have recognized them! Folks on the boat there were so excited to see their lifer loon but if they could see them in breeding plumage like yours, they'd be in heaven!

The Retired One said...

Pictures and poem?: both delightful!

Deborah Godin said...

That is a wonderful loon poem, and of course your photos are superb!

holdingmoments said...

Lovely shots Shelley, and a great poem by your friend to go with them.

Elaine said...

Beautiful story and photos and a lovely poem.

jalynn01 said...

loon Love! I'm learning alot from you Shelley about these beautiful creatures. Nice photos! Nice poem too.

Shelley said...

Jayne - glad you liked both! :)

Wendy - seriously - I'm going to adopt you as my sister! You are so sweet! (We have actually talked about book ideas.....)

Adrienne - She is great - this poem meant the world to me. And you are right about the Loons extraordinary relationship - you should hear them "hooting" to each other at night as well. It's a call to reassure each other and say hello.

Fishing Guy -thank you - they are low in the water like submarines - LOL! P.S. I've got a duck photo like your goose photo - I'll post it next week and dedicate it to you!

Cathy - the Loons arrive in the spring in Michigan and then migrate in the fall.

Hannibal - thank you!

Ginnymo - thank you!! Great minds think alike - I was talking to my friend about putting something together w/ her words and my photo and then framing it. I think I need better Loon photos - it's hard from the Kayak - lol!

Montana - that is so great that you were in Birds & Blooms! I popped over today to read your poem and it was WONDERFUL!!!

Deb - it is hard not to fall in love with them - I love watching them swim together!

Lynne - Their plumage up close is just so gorgeous - such intricate patterns! I think everyone should experience seeing them like this!

Retired One - I told my friend it is the best Loon poem I have ever read!

Deborah - thank you! I'm hoping for a more calm morning in the kayak and better light for the next round of photos!

Holding Moments - thank you so much! I think there are better photos in my future!

Elaine - thank you - I am so fascinated by every aspect of the Loon!

Jalynn - Thank you!I'll probably tell you more than you wanna know about the Loons - LOL! I need to start paying attn to my other birds!

Andrea said...

Thanks for all the Looney Love!!

Patsy said...

I am falling in love with Loon's
Patsy

Connie said...

Shelley, these pictures are great, and I learned some things about Loons today. Nice poem written by Michelle too. Have a good weekend! :)

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

True Loon love is ever so beautiful.Thanks.
Blessings,Ruth

Dawn Fine said...

Hi Shelley,
Just catching up on Your Looney Posts! I can see how much you love them! Thanks for the information and all the gorgeous photos of your favorite birdie!

Rural Rambler said...

I don't want Loon Week to end! But I know there will be other beautiful pictures so I will be patient. Beautiful poem and beautiful pictures. Enjoy your weekend and "snap happy"!

BirdingMaine said...

Awesome post Shelley! I love Loons!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful poem and lovely photos of the Loons.

Michele said...

These are gorgeous! I don't know how you do it. Well, you are a Loon Ranger... Can't wait to see these on greeting cards and other items in your nature store. Thanks a bunch for mentioning my poem. I've really enjoyed the visits and comments from your friendly followers.

Jenny said...

Great poem from your friend and fabulous photos of course! I'm very glad that the end of loon week doesn't mean the end of loon photos! (-:

Olde Tyme Marketplace said...

Shelley,
Thank you so much for ALL the wonderful pictures of the Loons. I have never seen them in person and am captured by there beauty! How lucky you are to be able to be a part of their world.
Beth
P.S. Your apology post was sooooooooooooooo not necessary....I would have felt the same way you did at that moment.
Beth