Breakfast with the Loon Chicks
I got a chance to check in on 'my' loon family Thursday morning. Both chicks seem to be doing well, they're big, their feathers are growing in and they're diving and foraging on their own - as well as being well-fed by their parents.
Our pond was a tough place to be a fish Thursday morning. There were two osprey patrolling the pond. It looked like one was a juvenile and was pestering a parent to be fed (I'm pretty sure I heard the parent say 'Get your own darned fish!').
The parent had a good perch to watch the pond.
I must have looked sorta fishy.....
One of the adult loons was up before the rest of the family, cruising around the pond before flying off on some errand.
The rest of our loon family took their time getting up and around. One of the little guys started off with an impressive yawn.
The parent on babysitting duty started them off with a tasty appetizer.
The parent soon got serious about feeding the chicks and went after much larger fish.
The chicks are capable of swallowing fish nearly as long as they are.
After feeding, all of the loons spent several minutes preening.
With their feathers all fluffed and properly aligned, they chicks looked very sleek.
