Loons

One of my favourite things to do in the summer is to go out on the lake during the morning and  try to capture photos of our loons. One of the best ways to do this is by going out in a canoe or kayak, which is quieter and not as threatening to the loons. Sometimes you are able to follow them around as they are fishing. I usually try to do my paddling when they are under the water. 

When they are fishing, they often swim along with their head in the water hunting for their meal.

When they see something they want, they usually go down into the water without a ripple. Sometimes you see a bit of a splash.

They sometimes come up empty, which is usually how I see them after they have come up. You never know where they are coming up, so they could have eaten their catch even before you have spotted them.

But ... sometimes you are lucky and get to see them with a catch. This one has caught a crayfish. He flipped it quickly and swallowed it within seconds of coming to the surface.

Once the loon swallowed the crayfish, the picture shows water still coming out of its beak as it closes his beak. I thought this was an interesting picture.

Look at the birds of the air;
they do not sow or reap or store away in barns,
and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not much more valuable than they?
Matthew 6:26