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This has been a difficult year for loons. Of the three nests that I have checked, two lost their eggs to predators and one was flooded when beavers raised the level of the lake they were using.

Loons will re-nest and the eggs from one pair hatched this past week. I spent some time observing and photographing them. Some loons are more tolerant of humans being close than others. If it disrupts their behavior don’t approach them. This family is very tolerant. Their natural behavior didn’t change with me around. By day three they were fishing on both sides of my kayak and swimming underneath me.

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What a fun three days.

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On day one the babies mainly stayed on the adult’s back. They would occasionally swim adjacent to mom or dad but most of the time life was all about riding the “Loon Taxi”.

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By day two the babies were ready to try diving. It was hilarious to watch as they paddled as hard as they were able but could not get more than their head under the water.

By day three they were already diving for short periods of time.

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Mom and dad would take turns diving for food and carrying the babies. When they decided to switch they would sometimes rise up out of the water, stretch their wings and the babies would slide off.

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Then the babies would get on the other parent’s back. Look at the one babies head in front of mom's neck.

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Their lives seem quite peaceful.

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The loons slept for about an hour, then fish and eat for the next hour, play and preen for the next hour and then the cycle would start all over again.

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Several times the parents stuck their bills under their wing and took a nap right next to me in the kayak. Loons will sleep with one eye open.

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On day one the parents fed the babies aquatic insect larvae.

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Day two their diet included both larvae and small minnows.

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By day three their diet was 90 percent minnows.

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Three-day-old loon chicks are so cute. The baby’s biggest concern is bald eagles. Bald eagles eat more loon chicks than any other predator. While watching the family on day three the parents all of a sudden became very agitated and started their tremolo call, which means the loon is worried. Both were looking over me towards shore. I turned and looked for several seconds before I saw an eagle soaring into view. A loon’s eyesight must be incredible. They saw the eagle long before I did. Their tremolo calls continued until the eagle flew across the lake and out of sight.

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I have spent a lot of time with loons over the years but this three-day experience was one I will remember for some time.

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