p.1 #1 · Common Loon with Chicks in Minnesota on June 13, 2018
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Common Loon with Chicks in Minnesota on June 13, 2018
Canon 7d II w/ Canon 500mm II & Canon 1.4x III
Sometimes things come together. I’ve spent the last 5 years hoping to capture a shot like this.
I’ve seen more than my share of cloudy days, high winds, reckless boaters, sudden rain squalls, and uncooperative subjects.
One day in June, everything came together at once. These loon chicks were born the day before and it was their first time off the nest. I had noticed the nest a couple weeks before and kept my distance. In past years, the loon pair on this lake would normally fledge chicks around Memorial Day.
The late season meant that they were a couple weeks behind. I kept an eye on the weather forecast and found what looked like the one clear morning in all of June. Would June 13th be lucky?
I kayaked out on the lake just before sunrise, around 5:15am. I made way across the lake, at first not seeing anything in the pre-dawn light. The rudder got stuck on the kayak, so I made my way by going around in a circle a few times before getting it straightened out and moving forward.
Then in the distance, I saw something that looked black and white. Was it a loon or one of the many geese on the lake? I heard the call and knew immediately they were loons.
As I got closer, there was no mistaking it. A loon pair with chicks. I stopped the kayak and with the large telephoto lens started taking photos. It is not easy lying down on the kayak and balancing the camera at water level, but I was so excited I didn’t notice.
Then something interesting happened. They started the tremolo call and it made me worry that I was too close. But, if that was the case, why were they swimming right toward me with the chicks on the back. I looked around to see if another boat was near but couldn’t see anything.
Then I saw them, a pair of Eagles off in the distance approaching. I don’t know for sure, but I think they came in by me as a deterrent to the Eagles. Maybe they thought I looked like a better choice for a meal. Their keen eyesight spotted them long before I could.
The golden light slowly turned harsh as the morning passed by. All in all, I only spent one magical hour with this family. I haven’t been able to check on them since this day, but I am hoping they are safe, so we can all come together again this summer.
p.1 #4 · Common Loon with Chicks in Minnesota on June 13, 2018
What a beautiful set of photos! They are particularly impressive given that you were shooting from a canoe. Hard to keep things steady on a boat. Loons are on my list, were you very far north in MN?
p.1 #5 · Common Loon with Chicks in Minnesota on June 13, 2018
Mike Mike Mike, these are absolutely the most beautiful Loon shots I have ever seen . I will go far as to say one of the finest series of shots posted in a log time . Exxxxcelent.
p.1 #6 · Common Loon with Chicks in Minnesota on June 13, 2018
Very beautiful images, Mike! Great light and low angle (as usual for you). Thanks for the story behind these too. I always find it interesting to hear what people go through to get some of their images.
Keith W.
p.1 #12 · Common Loon with Chicks in Minnesota on June 13, 2018
Amazing as always Mike. You are making me jealous and nostalgic as I don't live up north anymore where I had access to the one loon couple/chicks from my kayak...therefore no loons for me this year.
p.1 #18 · Common Loon with Chicks in Minnesota on June 13, 2018
KCollett wrote:
Wow. This is a very impressive set Mike! Beauties, each and every one. 1, 4, & 6 are my faves, with #1 being my selection for best in show.
p.1 #20 · Common Loon with Chicks in Minnesota on June 13, 2018
dallvr wrote:
What a beautiful set of photos! They are particularly impressive given that you were shooting from a canoe. Hard to keep things steady on a boat. Loons are on my list, were you very far north in MN?
Thank you. I was fortunate to have a calm morning.
All I can say is that I was somewhere north of Iowa.
