Regatta Loon

Dietrich was kind enough to send me this photo he took of one of the loons that graced the Church Regatta with their presence.

It was wonderful to watch the adult diving nonchalently amongst the swim racers -- perhaps all that flapping and flailing of body parts was stirring up the fish? Whatever the reason, the loon kept surfacing in and around the swim race area, completely unperturbed by the commotion.

On the other side of the dock, the female was teaching the chick to dive. They stayed a little away from the action, but put on a fabulous show, with the chick standing up and flapping his (her?) wings, and the adult pair cosying up beak to beak.

You'd think they knew they were on a photo shoot! Top models all of them!

It's always appreciated when our friends and guests send us photos. Jerry Schmanda spends most of his days in Algonquin Provincial Park, and he's never without his camera. He kindly provided me with some of his loon photos, too! This is not the pair of loons and chick that popped up (literally) in the lake at Port Cunnington Wednesday, but it's a stunning look at a loon family, and the close up shows the red eyes of the birds. This red coloration allows them to see underwater -- a huge hunting advantage!

The courier-du-bois called the loons "cry in a necklace" (actually, they used the French translation, but let that pass...) You can get a good look at the formal 'cravat' and black and white 'necklace' that adorn the loon's throat.

And, if you listen of an evening, you'll probably get to hear that cry, direct from the necklace...

Drop by the Dwight Public Library, and you can find some of Jerry's photos on sale, too.

Thanks very much to Dietrich and to Jerry for these images.