Seven Loons, One Territory, and a Lot of Drama
On September 5, I led another guided loon photography paddle, with a portion of the proceeds donated to the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation. We launched at 6:30 a.m. into a crisp, cloudy morning with a thick layer of fog covering the lake. Although we had been hearing loons throughout the morning, there wasn't much activity to see at first - just one lone loon slowly making its way across the water. We also stopped at an island where loons have nested in the past, giving me an opportunity to explain some of ACLC's conservation work, including the use of nest rafts that help protect nests from fluctuating water levels.
After nearly an hour of paddling through the fog with little loon activity, we finally reached a territory where an active loon family was raising chicks. At first, we saw nothing but fog. I slowed down, kept quiet, and carefully scanned the shoreline until, after about ten minutes, I finally spotted the chicks tucked against the shore. They were incredibly well camouflaged, and if we hadn't known what to look for, we easily could have paddled right past them. The fog made photography extremely challenging, but it gave us a great opportunity to focus on observing the loons and their behavior.
We watched the parents feed their chicks and even witnessed a quick penguin dance when the father confronted a group of mergansers that got too close. I also shared tips on safely approaching loons and positioning ourselves so the birds could decide how close they wanted to come. It worked perfectly - as the fog cleared, the family calmly swam almost right up to us before continuing on their way.
Then the morning suddenly got much more exciting. Another loon entered the territory looking to socialize, but the father wasn't open visitors with chicks nearby. He immediately went into vulture pose and began yodeling. Before long, more loons arrived, and we had seven birds in the area - five visitors and the two territorial resident parents.
The amount of loon behavior happening around us was incredible. At one point, three loons were circling one another, becoming increasingly tense. I told everyone to get ready because I expected them to dive and begin fighting underwater. Not three seconds later, all three loons dove at the exact same time as if they were paid actors.
The territorial displays continued, with more vulture poses, yodeling, wing rowing, and a particularly intense fight between two loons. We captured some great photos and video of the action, including the males yodeling, and loons wing rowing both during confrontations and as they moved away from the territory.
Eventually, the visiting loons dispersed and began flying away, while the parents returned to their chicks, which had stayed safely tucked close to shore throughout the commotion. We then made our way back to the launch, wrapping up an incredible morning on the water.
What started as a quiet, foggy morning with almost no loon activity turned into one of the most action-packed paddles we've had. It was a great reminder that wildlife photography requires patience - you never know when the scene in front of you is going to suddenly come alive.
Interested in joining a guided wildlife or loon photography paddle?
I offer private and small-group trips focused on photographing wildlife in their natural habitat, with tips and techniques for capturing the perfect shot from the water. Email me at andrewhudnut247@gmail.com for upcoming dates and details, or visit my Workshops page to see what we have planned next!
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