Common Loon (Gavia immer) in non-breeding feathers
If you've ever tried to photograph a hungry loon searching for small fish, you know they are agile divers and fast swimmers. This one was about to dive...but I clicked my shutter first.
In summer, I love hearing the eerie calls of Common Loons. But during the icy months, they leave Canada's remote northern lakes to spend time in coastal ocean water. On their way, many rest awhile in central and southern Ontario.
Common Loon
All loons spend most of their lives in water as they walk awkwardly on land. They cannot takeoff from land because they need about 30 to 50 metres of water to lift off.
Pacific Loon (Gavia pacifica) in non-breeding feathers
Pacific Loons are actually more common worldwide than Common Loons. However around the Great Lakes, Pacific Loons are rather rare, so when one is spotted birders from miles around travel to see and photograph it. This one was hanging out with a flock of Common Loons, which made the Pacific Loon tricky to see and identify. Luckily for me, an experienced birder spotted it for me.
Pacific Loon
I saw this one in Oshawa Harbour not far from where my husband and I regularly birdwatch.
I am connecting to Stewart M's Wild Bird Wednesday HERE
43 comments:
Love the Loons! I have never seen the Pacific Loon. Great sighting and photos.
They look so different in their non breeding plumage...
Nice Loons photos!
Greetings, RW & SK
The photo of both types of loons is helpful although I am sure I couldn't tell them apart if I spotted them outdoors.
Darla
I love loons and their haunting calls. None around here now :(
Their sound is very distinctive, isn't it? Great pics!
=)
Super shots EG..its hard when they keep duck diving down..they have unusual beaks, quite big.
We don't have loons around here, but I always loved listening to them when I would visit Minnesota.
so handsome! lucky you to have them near!
I love the call of the loon!
How awesome that you have these near you! Great photos.
beautiful birds, i like that dancing pacific loon
Lucky you! I've never seen the loons looking so scruffy. ;-)
you have such a diversity of waterfowl in your area. great pictures.
None around here, but I do love to hear the call- it's a bit lonesome, but sweet. Great shots!
Cute ones...
Great photos of beautiful birds. I saw and heard them on lakes in northern BC,Canada, many years ago - a wonderful memory!
Great photos.
Nice shots of moving birds!
A lovely post!
Well done!
A lovely series but I really like that first shot!
Beautiful photos, I like loons but here they are very, very rare visitors.
Lovely detailed photos and good info on the loons.
As far as I know, I've never seen either variety.
Such detail filled shots, and I found it so interesting that the loons cannot take off from land. we do not have any around these parts.
You did a great job capturing these loons.The photos are so bright and clear.
I never do understand why they are called "common" when they are far from that. Really they are so beautifully, and your photographs of them are really superb!
They look so relaxed just floating in the water :)
I have always loved the loon and their calls. When I was a child, we had a cottage north of Montreal by a lake. Lots of loons there. Nice shots.
Sweet looking birds.
I wish I lived where I could hear them! Great pics as usual.
What thrill to watch the birds in action! Great captures.
Loons are gorgeous critters and you got beautiful portraits!
Léia
Gorgeous birds, and I love their distinctive call.
beautiful birds!
great shots!:))
Nice species to get on camera, well done. I like the Merganser sneaking into the picture.... a lovely bird too
Beautiful birds! We have loons in Finland too, but I've never seen or heard one.
Nice shots, EG. Hard to tell the difference in the non-breeding plumage. MB
Wonderful birds and lovely pictures of both types.
beautiful loons. Different from "ours".
Great pictures - and I like the pintail in the zig-zag post as well.
Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
Hi. I alwya think they are quite regal birds and I love their call. great shots.
What a beautiful bird...hmm wonder if I saw any on our last journey...I am pretty far from many of the birds that I saw~
So beautiful loon´s pictures!
Bravo!
It seems difficult to take them
Post a Comment