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
Love the Loons! I have never seen the Pacific Loon. Great sighting and photos.
ReplyDeleteThey look so different in their non breeding plumage...
ReplyDeleteNice Loons photos!
ReplyDeleteGreetings, 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.
ReplyDeleteDarla
I love loons and their haunting calls. None around here now :(
ReplyDeleteTheir sound is very distinctive, isn't it? Great pics!
ReplyDelete=)
Super shots EG..its hard when they keep duck diving down..they have unusual beaks, quite big.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have loons around here, but I always loved listening to them when I would visit Minnesota.
ReplyDeleteso handsome! lucky you to have them near!
ReplyDeleteI love the call of the loon!
ReplyDeleteHow awesome that you have these near you! Great photos.
ReplyDeletebeautiful birds, i like that dancing pacific loon
ReplyDeleteLucky you! I've never seen the loons looking so scruffy. ;-)
ReplyDeleteyou have such a diversity of waterfowl in your area. great pictures.
ReplyDeleteNone around here, but I do love to hear the call- it's a bit lonesome, but sweet. Great shots!
ReplyDeleteCute ones...
ReplyDeleteGreat photos of beautiful birds. I saw and heard them on lakes in northern BC,Canada, many years ago - a wonderful memory!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos.
ReplyDeleteNice shots of moving birds!
ReplyDeleteA lovely post!
ReplyDeleteWell done!
A lovely series but I really like that first shot!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos, I like loons but here they are very, very rare visitors.
ReplyDeleteLovely detailed photos and good info on the loons.
ReplyDeleteAs 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.
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job capturing these loons.The photos are so bright and clear.
ReplyDeleteI 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!
ReplyDeleteThey look so relaxed just floating in the water :)
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteSweet looking birds.
ReplyDeleteI wish I lived where I could hear them! Great pics as usual.
ReplyDeleteWhat thrill to watch the birds in action! Great captures.
ReplyDeleteLoons are gorgeous critters and you got beautiful portraits!
ReplyDeleteLéia
Gorgeous birds, and I love their distinctive call.
ReplyDeletebeautiful birds!
ReplyDeletegreat shots!:))
Nice species to get on camera, well done. I like the Merganser sneaking into the picture.... a lovely bird too
ReplyDeleteBeautiful birds! We have loons in Finland too, but I've never seen or heard one.
ReplyDeleteNice shots, EG. Hard to tell the difference in the non-breeding plumage. MB
ReplyDeleteWonderful birds and lovely pictures of both types.
ReplyDeletebeautiful loons. Different from "ours".
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures - and I like the pintail in the zig-zag post as well.
ReplyDeleteCheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
Hi. I alwya think they are quite regal birds and I love their call. great shots.
ReplyDeleteWhat 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~
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful loon´s pictures!
ReplyDeleteBravo!
It seems difficult to take them