I'm spending a delightful week cat sitting for Busik while my Chicago kids are vacationing at a cabin in Northern Michigan. They are having lots of adventures and loving being out in nature, although Ella was startled yesterday by a big water snake that dropped onto the bow of her kayak and caused her to drop her phone in the lake. It still works fine and she has been sending me great pictures, including these loon photos that I couldn't resist sharing in the #FeatheredFriends Community!
European name, “Great Northern Diver,” The common Loon is a strikingly handsome water bird with red eyes and an unearthly wild call that is symbolic of summertime in the north.
Loons make four basic types of very memorable vocalizations: the wail, tremolo, yodel, and hoot. Often referred to as the "laughing call" of the loon, the tremolo is an alarm call used in threatening situations, such as when a boat is approaching a chick or a nest too closely.
https://youtu.be/Vw1D92_ZNtE YouTube link
Their feet are set far back on their bodies, making them powerful, agile divers and they are able to catch small fish in fast underwater chases. They are awkward on land and an incubating adult shuffles to get onto its nest.
Because they are not well built for life on land, loons usually sleep in the water. ... To sleep, a loon turns its neck and rests it's head on its back.
Loons need a long runway to take off, depending on the wind as much as 1/4 mile as they run across the top of the water flapping their wings in order to gain enough speed for lift-off. They have become trapped on ponds that are too small to take off.
Loon with chick
I once came across a loon close to the shore that appeared dead. I had unknowingly come too close to the nest and the bird was limply hanging its head over its nest because it was trying to hide the eggs from predators. It plays dead convincingly!
Loon chicks are on their own after 12 weeks.
I'm looking forward to more great photos this week!
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