The chicks continue to thrive! I saw some wing flapping, but no major changes other than longer necks allowing them to turn their heads in all directions. They're just as cute as ever. (Photo by Jane Naliboff)The loon siblings swim together. (Photo by Jane Naliboff)I'm growing! (Photo by Jane Naliboff)
Gorgeous pics, Jane! The colors are just extraordinary. I’ve been loving watching them grow, thanks so much for sharing with all of us!
Your photos make me feel like I am looking at the loons in person. I can see and almost feel the “down” on the babies. Wonderful!
Is Mama stilll feeding them or are they catching little fish on their own? Do they also eat flying insects? I assume they will fly south as a family/. Thanks, Jane.
Put on my FB page and emailed classmate now from Wa. as these are great photos.
Thank you all for the very nice comments. I took these photos from a kayak with a mind of its own, so Saturday’s photo session was a real challenge for me.
Casey,
I didn’t see them eating this time out. Loons don’t eat insects. They eat fish, leeches, frogs, etc. The chicks are surface fishing now and can dive for a few seconds, but I haven’t seen them come up with anything, so I assume the parents continue to catch fish for them. They winter in open water. Maine loons winter in the ocean off of Rhode Island where they turn gray and brown and regain their bright colors in the summer when they return. Loons that don’t live near oceans, winter over in open water on large lakes. They can live for 15 to 30 years and usually return to the same lake or pond year after year. They seem to mate for life unless they don’t have an egg after several years of trying, in which case the male might choose another female. Their bills are like spears, so I suppose I’ll never get to touch one, but it’s tempting. I especially would like to feel the chicks’ downy feathers, but I know better than to upset a solid boned, sharp billed, shrieking parent.
Sorry, caseydgray,
Loon families do not migrate together …usually the adults leave before their young. Also, most of our Maine loons are happy to winter in the Gulf of Maine, like most Mainers they don’t care about the warm water and crowds in the south!
jane naliboff could take a picture of an elephant vomiting and it would look fabulous!
Gorgeous pics, Jane! The colors are just extraordinary. I’ve been loving watching them grow, thanks so much for sharing with all of us!
Your photos make me feel like I am looking at the loons in person. I can see and almost feel the “down” on the babies. Wonderful!
Is Mama stilll feeding them or are they catching little fish on their own? Do they also eat flying insects? I assume they will fly south as a family/. Thanks, Jane.
Put on my FB page and emailed classmate now from Wa. as these are great photos.
Thank you all for the very nice comments. I took these photos from a kayak with a mind of its own, so Saturday’s photo session was a real challenge for me.
Casey,
I didn’t see them eating this time out. Loons don’t eat insects. They eat fish, leeches, frogs, etc. The chicks are surface fishing now and can dive for a few seconds, but I haven’t seen them come up with anything, so I assume the parents continue to catch fish for them. They winter in open water. Maine loons winter in the ocean off of Rhode Island where they turn gray and brown and regain their bright colors in the summer when they return. Loons that don’t live near oceans, winter over in open water on large lakes. They can live for 15 to 30 years and usually return to the same lake or pond year after year. They seem to mate for life unless they don’t have an egg after several years of trying, in which case the male might choose another female. Their bills are like spears, so I suppose I’ll never get to touch one, but it’s tempting. I especially would like to feel the chicks’ downy feathers, but I know better than to upset a solid boned, sharp billed, shrieking parent.
Sorry, caseydgray,
Loon families do not migrate together …usually the adults leave before their young. Also, most of our Maine loons are happy to winter in the Gulf of Maine, like most Mainers they don’t care about the warm water and crowds in the south!
jane naliboff could take a picture of an elephant vomiting and it would look fabulous!