Several people around the lake have reported interactions among 2 or 3 adult loons recently. Jen was present for one of these between our female and another adult. Most interactions involve a lot of circling and looking underwater. In the photo below, the intruder is in front, and Mom is looking underwater to check for others approaching.

The interaction Jen watched got a bit more escalated. Mom (left) has her head feathers raised, and the other loon has its neck extended. 

After several minutes of intense stare-downs, the confrontation ended. Mom took a bath and most likely returned to find Piper. 

Since the beach area was close to a lot of boat and paddleboard  traffic, Jon stayed nearby, guiding people around the area. Piper continued to practice various loon behaviors to an audience including Mom, a nearby Mallard, and lots of blue damselflies.

During all this, the female kept making the "where are you" Wail Call. Once Jon heard an answer from the other end of the lake, presumably from Papa. After a half-hour or so, the female left the area. First, she did the following display.

It was not directed at Jon, but at a Common Merganswer and her chick. She escorted them out of the area, leaving Piper behind. Jon stayed around for another half-hour, keeping a safe distance from Piper (who started out on the beach - photo above), but left for open water when disturbed by activity on land.

This was not the first time Jon has stayed near a chick the parents had "stashed" in a safe place. He and Jen have had a lot of experience in keeping a safe distance and in monitoring the comfort behavior of Loons. Occasionally, they will drift close.

The photo below is from about 40 feet -  uncomfortably close. So, Jon took a quick photo and backed away to a more comfortable distance. Here is a 60% crop of that photo taken with a 500mm lens.

The first two pictures in this newsletter were from at least 100 feet away (which is still a bit close). Piper as a tiny brown dot was taken with a 100mm lens and is the actual photo. The lead photo is an 85% crop of the original taken with a 500mm lens.

Please don't get close to a chick alone. It is a normal part of their growing up. If you get too close and the chick moves away, it can end up in more danger. Thank you.