Kukagami Common Loon Study

One of the highlights of summer life at our cottage on Kukagami Lake is the presence of a thriving population of Common Loons. They are quite vocal with a variety of beautiful calls heard throughout the day and night. Over the last few weeks I had several opportunities to study the birds at close quarters with my camera at the ready.

Common Loon (Gavia immer) - Kukagami Lake, Ontario - 2015 July 25

One evening in late July we went out for an after dinner boat ride just before sunset. Rounding a point we spotted a loon busy with some feather grooming. I quickly shut down the boat motor and drifted. The loon was unperturbed and continued on, ignoring our presence. In this first photograph the loon has rolled on to its left side exposing the white belly and a leg for preening of its belly feathers.
 

Common Loon (Gavia immer) - Kukagami Lake, Ontario - 2015 July 25

Next the loon made quite a scene violently splashing with feet and wings. A self propelled shower. 

Common Loon (Gavia immer) - Kukagami Lake, Ontario - 2015 July 25

After the shower production the loon spent some time trying to get all the wing feathers realigned. Leaning first to one side and then the other. 

Common Loon (Gavia immer) - Kukagami Lake, Ontario - 2015 July 25

And next the ruffling continued down to the end of the tail feathers. 

Common Loon (Gavia immer) - Kukagami Lake, Ontario - 2015 July 25

 The loon then lifted a leg for some fine tuning on the lower left side. 

Common Loon (Gavia immer) - Kukagami Lake, Ontario - 2015 July 25

 The loon then settled down for a while drifting quietly. We figured it was now ready for the night.

Common Loon (Gavia immer) - Kukagami Lake, Ontario - 2015 July 25

  Then it rolled again onto its right side to take a last look at its belly. 

Common Loon (Gavia immer) - Kukagami Lake, Ontario - 2015 July 25

Finally the loon seemed to be happy and stood up to give a couple slow flaps. I was really happy to catch the setting sun casting a wing shadow in this photograph. 

Common Loon (Gavia immer) - Kukagami Lake, Ontario - 2015 July 25

Back in a more relaxed pose the loon slowly lifted its wings for another stretch. 

Common Loon (Gavia immer) - Kukagami Lake, Ontario - 2015 July 25

The wing stretch this time was a full sweep back until the wing tips were almost touching. And that was the end of the display for the evening as the loon drifted quietly away.

Common Loon (Gavia immer) - Kukagami Lake, Ontario - 2015 July 27

A few days later I was out on the lake early in the morning. This loon surfaced near the boat and watched me while I took a few photographs. The head and neck feathers on a Common Loon are black but when exposed to bright sunlight the physical structure af the feathers give off a slight green iridescence.

Common Loon (Gavia immer) - Kukagami Lake, Ontario - 2015 July 27

Later in the afternoon while sitting at our shore a loon surfaced nearby. When the loon dove back under I waded out into the water with my camera hoping the loon would resurface even closer. I was rewarded with this photograph showing off the loons sleek head shape and the sparkling back lighting on the water surface. This photograph also shows a very low stance in the water. Being diving specialists loons are adept at adjusting their lung capacity and flattening their feathers to effect buoyancy for diving.

Common Loon (Gavia immer) - Kukagami Lake, Ontario - 2015 August 6

It was the next week when I caught this loon on the surface. The photograph shows well the large red eyes and very tiny central black pupil.
 

Common Loon (Gavia immer) - Kukagami Lake, Ontario - 2015 August 6

The same loon seen from behind shows the black neck feathers and spotted back pattern as well as the large bill for catching fish under water.
 

Common Loon (Gavia immer) - Kukagami Lake, Ontario - 2015 August 6

Although we normally see loons alone or in pairs occasionally larger groups hang together. I came across a group of five in an isolated bay at the far north end of Kukagami Lake.

Common Loon (Gavia immer) - Kukagami Lake, Ontario - 2015 August 6

They would swim together for a while and then all dive. A few minutes later they would surface and start hooting softly to locate the other members of the group. They would then congregate again before diving once more.
 

Common Loon (Gavia immer) - Kukagami Lake, Ontario - 2015 August 6

After one dive they must have felt the need to be closer as they came together in this tight group.