I’ve noticed for the past week or so that there has been a loon in the north basin of the Cap Sante Marina.  Despite breezy conditions on the morning of March 1 I discovered a loon back in the marina and went down with my camera to attempt to photograph it.  I found upon reaching the marina that there were actually at least three and possibly four loons in the marina and I was able to photograph two of them, one transitioning to its spectacular breeding plumage.

The first loon I encountered was in non-breeding plumage.  I was disappointed and thought that I had seen one in breeding plumage.  In the past I have found these birds very wary, but in this case this one kept drifting towards me… against the wind.  That indicated that it was deliberately paddling in my direction… a very rare occurrence, in my opinion.  Almost the entire time I observed this bird it was preening.

Common Loon in non-breeding plumage

From time to time when these birds are preening they rise from the water and flex their wings.  I was fortunate enough to be able to photograph the birds during this maneuver.

Common loon during preening

Common loon during preening

Common Loon on the hunt

 Another activity I have observed on many occasions is apparently a hunt for food prior to diving.  Loons seem to be one species of waterfowl that exhibit this behavior.  In this photo the loon is swimming but inserts its head into the water, apparently looking for a good place to dive.

Here’s the other Common loon, this one transitioning into breeding plumage.  I think it has a little way to go and hope to get photos once they acquire full breeding plumage but before they leave the marina.

Common Loon in transitioning to breeding plumage

And finally, here is the loon in breeding plumage having a rest.  It twists its head to the rear and rests it on its back.  I was close enough to the loon to see that it wasn’t closing its eyes, or at least not closing the one facing me.

Common Loon in breeding plumage in apparent resting mode

This loon over time also came almost directly towards me, getting just about as close as the other one had.  I’ve photographed loons in the marina many times, but I think these two were about as tolerant of human presence as any I’ve encountered.