2012

May 30 100pm

Loon still brooding - coloring is spectacular at this time

Sunday June 3


According to Larry's Blog - Chick number one hatched around 9:25am

I started watching about 11:00 am and Mom very nicely took off from the nest

New Loon baby at 11:10am



Mom and Dad kept hovering around the raft. I think they were trying to encourage the wee one to take her first swim. But - she did not budge from her secure spot in mid nest


Mom returned to the nest and chick snuggled back under while Mom arranged the second egg

8:16pm to 8:36pm

Mom decides to hit the water, upends the chick on her way down


She stayed close to the raft, in camera sight. Chick decided to try out the water. Without hesitation waddled down and on to the water swimming out to meet Mom


They stayed close to the raft for several minutes and then out of sight. Finally at 8:24pm Mom returned with chick riding in style



When Mom surged up onto the raft, the chick fell off her back. Mom immediately went to the egg and settled in. The baby tried, but could not make it up the slope. Swam around the raft. Mom leaning over speaking. Dad showed up in cam view. He had appeared earlier so was evidently supervising the swim. After several minutes Mom went back in the water. At 8:36pm she showed up and climbed back onto the raft. Baby was with her. I had to look at my recording several times to find her. Mom had her tucked into her front where her wing joins her body. As she mounted the slope she gave the baby a shove and she was up on the raft. The action was hidden by the iris plant so any images I tried to set up just did not show what happened. But baby safe and tucked in for the night now.

2:30pm CDT


The second egg has pipped



Mom has been on and off the nest. Sometimes off for 30 40 minutes. She turns and turns the egg when she returns. Larry has been manning the camera and doing a lot of close ups. Two lovely images Mom and the Iris

12:31pm CDT

Dad and chick check in

6-4 344 pm

Dad Checks in

4:14pm CDT

Mom had just returned to the nest to settle on the egg. The chick was with her but could not make it up the raft edge. Was swimming around the raft. Mom went back in after her - she went up on Mom's back for a rest - leaving the egg unattended again.

A better view than the last viewing. You can now see a bit of a crack from the pip.

9:00pm

I am not sure as I was busy this afternoon and did not watch carefully, but I think the egg was left to the sunshine for warmth for about 4 hours. Mom, at 8:51pm, finally returned to the nest and just settled on the egg when the wee one came scooting up from the camera side - no apparent help to make it up the side.


Mom settled back on the egg and the loonet (?) waddled up and under her wing - presumably for the night.


Every time I watch these loons manage walking on land, I can't help but think they must be closely related to penguins.