Tag: loons

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Back in the kayaks!

After a winter of walking with the dogs, we are looking forward to getting back in the kayaks.

On Tuesday, Jane and I went out to Grafton Pond. It was the only day this week that didn’t have a windy afternoon. We saw a few loons, some geese and a turtle, and enjoyed a lovely paddle. It was good to be back on the water.

Mt. Cardigan
Loon showing off his bracelets.
Canada goose family
Painted turtle
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Ricker Pond 9/26

I joined Jane, her brother and two sons for a delightful paddle on Ricker Pond. The color was just about peak.

Reflections. Ricker Pond State Park, Groton, VT 9/26/2020
Fall colors. Ricker Pond State Park, Groton, VT 9/26/2020

Jeremy took delivery of his new fishing kayak.

Jeremy in his new kayak. Ricker Pond State Park, Groton, VT 9/26/2020
Jaimie. Ricker Pond State Park, Groton, VT 9/26/2020
Rick. Ricker Pond State Park, Groton, VT 9/26/2020
Jane and a loon. Ricker Pond State Park, Groton, VT 9/26/2020

We found a parent and young loon

Loons. Ricker Pond State Park, Groton, VT 9/26/2020

who dove when they spotted an eagle flying overhead.

Loons splash as they dive. Ricker Pond State Park, Groton, VT 9/26/2020
Eagle. Ricker Pond State Park, Groton, VT 9/26/2020
Mallard. Ricker Pond State Park, Groton, VT 9/26/2020
An aster. Ricker Pond State Park, Groton, VT 9/26/2020
The dam. Ricker Pond State Park, Groton, VT 9/26/2020
Returning. Ricker Pond State Park, Groton, VT 9/26/2020
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Grafton Pond 6/18

Jane and I went to Grafton Pond last week to see the loons.

As we approached the pond, we found a family on Canadian geese on the dam.

Canadian geese on the dam. Grafton Pond, NH, 6/18/2020

We saw a few loons.

Loon. Grafton Pond, NH, 6/18/2020
Loon stretching. Grafton Pond, NH, 6/18/2020

While investigating some frog song, I came across a couple of large brown eggs in a mud nest.

Loon eggs. Grafton Pond, NH, 6/18/2020

Realizing what they were, I backed away and along came a loon who lumbered up onto the nest.

Loon climbing onto the nest. Grafton Pond, NH, 6/18/2020
Loon on nest. Grafton Pond, NH, 6/18/2020
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Joe’s Pond 8/9/19

I accompanied Jane, her brother, two sisters, a brother-in-law and nephew on their trip to Joe’s Pond in Danville, VT. The main pond was nearly wall to wall cottages.

Jane and her sisters on Joe’s Pond. 8/9/19

We did see a couple of groupings of loons there.

4 common loons. –Joe’s Pond, Danville, VT 8/9/19

We proceeded to the inlet, which was covered with lilies and ducks.

Duck in the lilies. –Joe’s Pond, Danville, VT 8/9/19

Heading upstream, we came across several low beaver dams which we could cross.

Jane’s family going up the inlet. –Joe’s Pond, Danville, VT 8/9/19
Rick paddles over the dam. Joe’s Pond, Danville, VT 8/9/19
Judson, Jane’s nephew.

We saw birds, bugs and wildflowers.

Black winged damselfly (ebony jewelwing). Joe’s Pond, Danville, VT 8/9/19
gull –Joe’s Pond, Danville, VT 8/9/19
Wild flowers. –Joe’s Pond, Danville, VT 8/9/19
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Grafton Pond 7/10/18

Jane and I went to Grafton Pond on Tuesday. The loon chicks have hatched and are being tended by their parents. We saw two families of loons, one with a very young chick,

Loon parent feeding chick.
Grafton Pond, NH 7/10/18

A young chick riding on the parent’s back. Grafton Pond, NH 7/10/18

A parent loon stretching after preening while the baby looks on.
Grafton Pond, NH 7/10/18

and another with a larger and older chick.

Loon showing its leg bands, older chick nearby.
Grafton Pond, NH 7/10/18

We also found a great blue heron hiding in the bushes.

Great blue heron hiding.
Grafton Pond, NH 7/10/18