Outdoor Ontario

Photography => Ontario Birds => Topic started by: Whittam on July 11, 2011, 01:12:36 PM

Title: SUCCESS: Loon eggs and mom on the nest!
Post by: Whittam on July 11, 2011, 01:12:36 PM

A neighbour asked me to check out 2 eggs that they spotted on a small island at the cottage.  After searching the shoreline I spotted these two  beautiful eggs in a shallow nest.  The day was hot and while there was nothing nearby there were 2 loons on the lake.   I returned that evening keeping my distance and indeed one of the loons was on the nest! Seems very late in the year!  Cheers Terry
 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v680/whittam/IMG_0149.jpg)
Mom or Dad on the nest!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v680/whittam/IMG_0150.jpg)
Cheers Terry
A week later and mom is still siting on 2 eggs!  I hope they hatch soon!  Its already July 16th!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v680/whittam/IMG_0176.jpg)

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Post by: denis on July 11, 2011, 06:41:58 PM

nice find terry.
maybe they re-nested due to high water levels,which seems to have happened in other areas,with all the rain earlier this year.

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Post by: Whittam on July 11, 2011, 06:59:03 PM

Thanks Dennis.
Yes,  thats a good thought!  The lake level is high. The loon can literally slip off the nest into the water and disappear.  I'm hoping the eggs hatch soon so the babies can start developing!  
I'll try to keep posting pictures as they grow.
Cheers Terry

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Post by: Whittam on July 18, 2011, 06:12:32 PM

1 of the eggs hatched today.......little one is swimming already!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v680/whittam/IMG_5126.jpg)
Cheers Terry

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Post by: Moira on July 18, 2011, 08:08:25 PM

Hatched today and swimming already - wow!  I love the shots of the little one on the mother's back.  Hopefully you'll get that opportunity.

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Post by: Whittam on July 25, 2011, 11:07:56 AM

Our little loon is growing fast......  here mom and dad are standing guard this past weekend!  They have taken the wee loon to a quiet area of the lake away from all boat traffic.  Cheers Terry

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v680/whittam/IMG_0250_2.jpg)

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Post by: JW Mills on July 25, 2011, 10:18:45 PM

Well done Terry!

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Post by: angieinto on July 26, 2011, 05:29:00 AM

Awesome story! :D