The Loons Are Back!

 After a long cold, snowy winter I finally had the opportunity to get back out on my kayak and do some wildlife photography. A lake less than 30 miles from my house is home to a pair of nesting bald eagles and many common loons. It’s always a great place for wildlife observation and relaxing with a cup of coffee in relative solitude. I try to get there at sunrise so I almost always have the place to myself. After a while a few fisherman may show up. On this first outing of the season I was treated to three separate encounters with the mystically elegant water creature called the common loon. They came right up to my kayak, giving me some great photo opportunities. The trick with loons is to stop paddling the moment you see one and hope they come to you. A lot of times they do. I believe it’s due to their extremely territorial nature that allows this unique experience. Let them come to you. It’s also the only ethical way to photograph these creatures. It has to be on their terms. I also got to see the local bald eagle pair perched together pretty close to the boat launch. They eventually made it back to the nest, bringing some sticks. They’re usually incubating eggs by now so I’m hoping that happens soon. After spending a few hours out there, I paddled back in, back to stupid reality…