Yesterday morning I was awake early, far too early at 5 am. But that is one of the beautiful things about living here in the summer, five am is as bright as noon. So I grabbed my camera and binoculars and headed out to my favourite birding spot this time of year, the outflow at Marcil Lake.
Dead calm out, and quiet, the road crew working in the pit beside it wouldn't be starting for a couple of hours. I sat for awhile at the pond that the akkiarjuk, or Long-tailed Ducks favour.
While there a beautiful male Lapland Longspur interrupted his flights of song (really, they fly high in the air and "parachute" down, singing all the while) for a visit.
Snowbuntings were almost as numerous and they stopped by also.
But I was surprised when a Red-throated Loon pair let me close almost to the edge of their pond without taking flight. I laid down on some dry tundra, propping the camera up a rock, and they swam even closer. Its nice when birds ignore your presence. And these were hard at work strengthening their pair bond.
Then I reluctantly got up and left. Damn work.
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4 responses
I love these shots of birds that I only see in basic plumage. Wish I could get a good look at a Red-throated Loon looking like that!
Those are some good photos! I love how you essentially captured their mating ritual. Ya, I think it would be so neat to be out at 5am and it be bright as noon.
How delightful. I find it so interesting how different birds are common in different places. In winter, we step all over each other to get a look at snow buntings and longspurs. Actually, we brave bitterly cold, windy weather just to catch a glimpse of a flock in a farmer’s field. I dare say I’ve never seen a red-throated loon! Gorgeous shots. Lucky you! ~karen
Come on up Corey. Saw five more at a crack on Admiralty Inlet yesterday, waiting for more ponds to thaw.
Thanks Melodie. If you check about a year ago there’ll be a post with photos of their dance. And you can substitute any time for 5am.
Hi Karen, I know its really cool to see birds that most people don’t get to see in their breeding plumage.