But once the chicks hatched, she was very possessive of them. Anyone at all near – I mean 100’ away or more and she would start crying (tremolo) and even doing a penguin dance if I didn’t move soon enough.

Needless to say, it made getting good photos of the loons and their chicks a challenge. Once in awhile I would find the male with the chicks. He was much more tolerant, even though, knowing that if she spotted him letting me get close, there would be hell to pay. So he obliged for awhile but then ‘asked politely’ that I leave.

One day I was with the male and two juveniles getting some reasonable photos, when from behind me a quarter mile away was the female squawking. She had landed and saw me close to ‘her’ chicks from the air and was telling me to scram! I ignored her for awhile, but slowly paddled away.

Not at all like the old days when they would even come up to my kayak – within 6’ or less. Now I’m lucky to get within 30’ of them. It has caused me to look for loons on other, nearby lakes. I have found a more tolerant pair on a wilderness lake not too far away. Still, I would like the pair on our lake to realize that we are no danger. Come on! I am the one who puts the nest out for you.

Next Blog: I’ll talk about putting in the ANP. Yes, it still is not in, partially due the cold weather we have been having and partially due to my schedule that has prevented me from going up and getting it in.