Hey, more loons!

Today we had a high wind advisory so I had decided not to go to the lake. Then I changed my mind, because the loons will probably be gone tomorrow and I didn't want to miss any chances of getting a photo. The wind wasn't too bad when I started, so I managed to get some shots. By the time I left, the wind had really picked up and there were whitecaps on the water. Now that I have so many photos of loons, I tried to get some where they were doing something rather than just floating around. So here are some behaviors I saw today.

Snoozing:

Veeeery nice series again!

Mike

Great series, love the wing stretch....

Hello Liz;

Another cracking series... I DO like those "in-line" shots... Were you ON the water (in a boat) or on-shore?

The "wing-stretch" is another wall-mounter!

Well done...

Cheers;

Lee

Great series Liz. Job well done.

Superb Liz!!

Excellent set Liz. I'd trade a loon for a red headed woodpecker.

Mguthrie wrote in post #5337845
Veeeery nice series again!

Mike

Thanks, I might run out again today just to check, but I'd be surprised if they were still there with as warm as it's been.

ajosteve wrote in post #5337876
Great series, love the wing stretch....

Thanks, I was really trying to get one. It was actually hard because they do it so quickly, plus being so close to them I'd usually clip a wing!

lkb-28 wrote in post #5339063
Hello Liz;

Another cracking series... I DO like those "in-line" shots... Were you ON the water (in a boat) or on-shore?

The "wing-stretch" is another wall-mounter!

Well done...

Cheers;

Lee

Thanks, I was sitting on a log right down on shore. One of my tripod legs was in the water. There was a flock of about 15 of them swimming around in front of me. It's a bit early in the season to be out in the water in a boat, as the lakes still have ice on them and the water is still very cold. I wouldn't stand a chance if I fell in. Plus I'd probably scare the loons off anyway! In the summer I'll take my camera out in the kayak (with the 100-400, not the 500!) and look for herons, kingfishers, etc. The loons won't be around then. They usually aren't found on busy lakes in town - they need clear, deep lakes and will avoid human disturbance. That's why this recent gathering is so exciting, because it's a very rare opportunity to have so many in town like this. They're all over on many lakes throughout the Twin Cities.

Sindri Skulason wrote in post #5339202
Great series Liz. Job well done.

hTr wrote in post #5339323
Superb Liz!!

Thanks guys! One of the reasons I'm subscribed on the local birding mailing lists (MN Bird, Minnesota Ornithologists Union lists) is to find out about events like this. Otherwise it's unlikely I would have known any loons were around!

canonloader wrote in post #5339423
Excellent set Liz. I'd trade a loon for a red headed woodpecker.

Heh, if you get me a RH woodpecker, I'll swim out, grab a loon, drive it down to La Crosse and set it in the water for you.

HAHA, I'm going down to Goose and smear peanutbutter on my hand and stand there real quiet like. Look for a UPS box soon.

Beautiful series...very hard to pick a favourite but I think the 3rd one for the flick of the foot and water droplets might be the one for me.

Beautiful shots Liz, everything is spot-on, and I really like the low angle to the water...looks like you were in the water with them!