Normally I don’t say where I find most of the wildlife I do. Loons are on most ponds and lakes in the Adirondacks that are long enough to host them and with enough fish. These loons are on Loon Lake, of all places, in the Adirondack Mountains of New York.

This was the first time I was lucky enough to see a baby riding on its parent’s back. I have been up looking for this in June and July in previous years, but missed out in the past. I went up to stay for two nights, and made three kayak trips on Loon Lake. I saw them each time.

This parent had babysitting duty. The other parent was out and about feeding itself and came back periodically to try to feed the baby.


I was told by someone who lived along the lake that there were two eggs, but one never hatched. Most of the land around the lake is private residences or residences as investment property/ rental.

I probably took one hundred pictures on the first two of the three kayaking trips I made this short vacation. Get out and experience new things! Nature is a beauty to behold.
That is an awesome sighting Sharon. Always good to be in the right place at the right time. Allan
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That is how I look at it. Sometimes you feel like you just hit the jackpot. The little joys in life.
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Oh wow, a sight to behold!
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An awesome one at that. Nature can be that way.
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💖💖
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I’m glad you are doing this! I regret not having the opportunity!
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If you stay on a lake with loons leave the windows open. You may hear them in the morning or at night.
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I absolutely LOVE Loons…..the sounds they make (their calls) and how they truly LOVE their young! Fantastic photos!!!
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I need to bring up something to record their calls next time. They vocalise more around the young ones. When it swam to far from the mom the mom made a noise and the baby returned. When the father was gone too long the mom called a few times. Etc.
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I live on Swan Lake up here in Montana….and the loons wake me up every morning and lull me to sleep every night….such wonderful songs! (Reminds me of ‘home’—we use to hike and canoe the Catskills and the Adirondacks nearly every weekend)!!
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Sounds like heaven! I absolutely love their calls. I hope to get your way in maybe three years or so. I want to do a long tour of Utah, Montana, Idaho etc. I love wildlife, just don’t want any encounters with grizzlies or large cats. Ha!
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Thanks! Do you get to see them much by you?
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Congratulations on seeing and photographing this loon family, Sharon. Your photos are wonderfully detailed and sharp. I simply love all baby birds who ride on their parents’ backs. Thank you for sharing these special moments.
Best,
Tanja
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I miss out on swans doing this locally. Maybe next spring. I was told by someone baby loons only ride on their mom’s back for about ten days, so it is luck to catch this. Thanks! They are so full of personality as well. I hope to add info about that in future posts.
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Lucky you!
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Such remarkable photos. Well done and thank you.
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They made it easy. I tried to keep a distance but they actually moved towards me.
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🦆🩵
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Congrats for your fabulous photos! I envy so much, as I have always seen Loons from so far that they were almost out of reach with my camera. 😃
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The best way to see them is in a kayak. If you hang out there at a little distance for a while they don’t see you as a threat. They might even swim near you.
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Lovely…
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Glorious! The mother looks as if she dressed up before going out – and that baby is just lovely.
Gwen.
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I wish I could have taken audio and video. They baby had fun spinning in circles on Thursday morning. The focalization’s of the mom were interesting.
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Superb
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They are cool birds!
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So cute! Great shots 🙂
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They are so cute!
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Apparently their striking red eyes are seen during breeding season only!
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Did not know that. I wonder if it’s lack of sleep caring for the little one. Ha!
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Beautiful photos. Would you like to add this post to the bird of the week invite?
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Don’t know how to do that.
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Leave a comment on https://anotherglobaleater.wordpress.com/2023/07/11/crimson-backed-sunbird-bird-of-the-week-invitation-xx/ and remember to include the link to your post in the comment
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I might try this with the one I will post tonight. I am going to have multiple posts on loons.
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Sweet pics.
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Sweet birds!
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These are wonderful captures!
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Thanks! I feel lucky!
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Beauty to behold for sure, Sharon! What great captures of adorable subjects.
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So cute 😍
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They are!
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