Thursday, September 10, 2009

My Loon baby has grown up!

One of the most beautiful things to view in the morning is the Loon swimming in the lake mist. On this day I set out in my kayak to check on my Loon baby. I was unsuccessful the last few times (paddling all over a 240 acre lake does get tiring!) but at last my luck turned.

Looks like he has a foot cramp! I kept my distance as I didn't want to upset him or his nearby parents - so these photos will not be my best.







You can tell the juvenile apart from his parents by not only his size, but his feathers. They have more of a fish scaley look - not quite the nice and precise black and white patterns the mature adult has.








I'm so glad he made it through the summer. His parents will be migrating soon and the juvenile will probably linger a little longer before heading out. I'm already counting the days till next years babies!


I'll be back blogging regularly now. Hope you're still with me! (I've been adjusting to returning to school and having homework once again!)

43 comments:

Mary said...

I'm glad he made it through the summer! That first shot of the leg cramp...funny! I feel that way sometimes, too :-)

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Great shots.These birds are amazing.Hope this one returns next year for you.
Blessings,Ruth

Anonymous said...

Such pretty photos Shelley. That must be thrilling to have followed the baby all summer.

Richard said...

Great pictures Shelley. Wish I could get that close. Maybe he's practicing his dancing...you know "Put the right foot in, pull the right foot out and shake it all about".

John B. said...

When I first glanced at the top photo, I thought the loon had an arrow sticking out of its back. A raised foot is much better! :-)

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Shelley, I surely do miss you when you aren't blogging. BUT--school is important and I understand.

The 'baby' loon is gorgeous. Do the parents really leave this one behind? He's on his own now????? That seems kinda sad to me.

Hugs,
Betsy

holdingmoments said...

Patience paid off. Beautiful pictures Shelley.

Elaine said...

Very nice photos! I'm glad the baby made it through the summer. I really love the first shot--too funny!

Jayne said...

Awww.... how sweet that you found him Shelley!

Kelly said...

ahhhhhh.....yeah!! Another Loon joins the ranks. Lovely photos of him too. What are you studying in school?

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

I don't believe I've ever seen a loons foot. This is a really neat series of photos.

Chris said...

hi Shelley,
I'm glad he made it through the summer, and I'm glad you're back with beautiful pictures of him... Of course we are still around, waiting for your return :-)
For the moment, just have a nice week end...

NCmountainwoman said...

Great photograph. I had no idea the juvenile would not migrate with the parents. Interesting.

Andrea said...

What a beautiful webbed foot he has. Looks a little like a paddle. Have a great weekend.

Heather said...

Oh Shelley, I'm so glad to see he made it through the summer. He's so beautiful! Glad you were finally able to see him and share him with us. Take care!

Unknown said...

I still remember the first time I heard a loon call, on a lake in N MN.

Your photos remind me of that evening. Thanks for sharing.

Coralie Cederna Johnson said...

Awesome baby loon photos! You really were able to capture him up close and personal!

Peggy said...

Glad you found your baby on your lake. Good exercise! Great photos!

Patsy said...

Looks like we are all here for you.
Patsy

Tina said...

Oh how nice to see the baby loon you have tried to follow all summer..loved the "cheese cake" leggie pic. I'm thrilled you found him and got such great shots ..before he starts to migrate. You must have some great arm muscles by now paddling as much as you did!!
Good luck with your school

Sunny said...

Excellent pictures, Loons are such lovely birds.
Sunny :)

Cindy said...

Great shots. Love that foot stretched out. What a beauty!!!

Janice K said...

How great to see the baby all grown up. Love the way the tree reflections colored the water in that last picture.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful photos. I wish we had loons in our lagoon! They must be smarter than the ducks and geese we get!

Ginnymo said...

Great photos Shelly!! That foot does look funny. I hope it's okay...I hope you see him again next summer. But I guess they are hard to tell apart.

troutbirder said...

Yes we are very proud of our state bird. They are far more handsome than their name implies. :)

Nick S said...

Hi Shelley. Lovely Loon series. I also hope you get to see them again next year. I expect they will return !

Montanagirl said...

Shelley, your photos are just terrific as always. I love the first one where he's stretching. Nice, nice work.

FAB said...

Hi Shelley. Great to see the youngster surviving all the hazards of growing up. Good luck with your studies. FAB

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Shelly: I love that show off shot with the foot in the air. That is really special.

Rural Rambler said...

Love the first shot Shelley. Glad he made it, YES!

Connie said...

Wonderful post, Shelley! The foot cramp picture made me laugh! :D

jalynn01 said...

I so envy you being able to paddle out on the lake and see the loons. I always wanted to live by or have a cabin near the water...but it never happened. I just love your pictures and baby loon doing the stretch is cute!

Eve said...

What a sweet baby!! These are great Shelley!

Adrienne Zwart said...

I don't know much about loons. Will the young one migrate with other young loons? How will it know where to go?

cindyzlogic said...

Hey! I really liked your photos of the Loon...especially the one with his foot in the air...great capture!

Deborah Godin said...

Ah, the majestic loon, graceful symbol of the north...caught having a "bad leg moment"!! Funny!!

Willard said...

Excellent photos! The first shot is cute with the leg sticking out like that.

Deb said...

What a fabulous capture of your loon baby enjoying the lake with you! Love the "foot cramp" photo. What a stretch :-)

Knatolee said...

Hee hee hee, I love that little foot!

sandy said...

Oh such gorgeous photos. And to think they will be leaving soon. I've hardly been here to enjoy all the photos of them this summer.

but then I can always look back through your archives.

Leedra said...

I watched "Notebook" this past weekend and heard the loons and thought of you. Hope all is going well for you.

Wendy said...

Great pictures, you're so lucky to be able to see baby loons grow. I've only seen a loon once and unfortunately it was very far :( But I could hear it quite clearly, hehe :)