LOONSCAPES

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How bout that catchy title to this entry.  Loonscapes.  Oh well;  its my blog.  I went down to the old ruins today to photograph birds and found that the birds flew the coop.  Alright;  I'll settle down with the cutesy phrases.   After an hour of gradually freezing;  I took off to the lake.  I figured I might catch a mallard or a goose down there.  Maybe a coot would be swimming around.   I pulled up to the lake and to my surprise there were loons swimming just off shore.  The loon is one bird I have been trying to photograph for years.  What a chance!  I crawled out on the grassy bank as far as I could and acted disinterested in the birds.  I thought I might pass as a blown over garbage can just laying there on the ground.  That didn't fool the loons for long.  They are really hard to get close to.  This would be a good opportunity to try out this 500 mm lens.

These loons are known as the common loon.  They are in their winter plumage and on their Winter range.  They winter in waters that are surrounded by lush forests and also on coastal waters.  Their plumage will change into their breeding colors in the Spring when they will migrate to points north.  They're range is from British Colombia, across Canada to New Brunswick and most of the Northern States.  A common loon can dive a hundred feet or more.

 They have been caught in fishing nets as deep as two hundred feet.  It is a privilege to be able to observe and photograph these magnificent birds.  I am looking forward to photographing them in their breeding colors.

Loons subsist primarily on small fish.  They also eat crayfish, shell fish, large aquatic insect larva and the occasional snake.  The acid rain situation has depleted the loon's food source on many lakes in the far North.  Don't be surprised if it makes it's debut on the endangered species list in a few more years.  A terrible shame!

An interesting note:  One will not see a loon on a tree limb and never walking on the shoreline.   They have been confused with the cormorant.   They can be seen in wet marshy lands where they nest.  The reason?  The loon's legs are placed too far rearward on it's body to support and balance it's weight on land.  I's called evolution.  Of course;  there is always that circumstance where the norm is contradicted.  But;  it is a fact that the loon has all but given up walking on land.

Have you ever heard the story of the loon that has died because he was stuck on a frozen lake?   He stays on and on until the water freezes close around him.  He bobs about in his small ten yard diameter space unable to fly.  He can not walk out of his situation because his legs are useless.   He needs space to fan his wings and gain lift off the water.  He needs distance to gain speed.  A duck or goose would simply hop up on the ice and lift off.  Not so the loon.

I don't know when loons connect to become a mating pair.  It seems that they are swimming in pairs today.   It may not be so but, it appears they are staying very close together.  Where one goes;  so goes the other.

I'll post some more pictures up here without comment.  Enjoy this beautiful, elusive bird.  Well;  I'll try not to comment.

DIVE!  DIVE! DIVE!
 Ok;  I'll be quiet

Note the color of the beak

This bird kept his eye on me at all times.  I was the last thing he saw when he would dive and I was the first thing he saw when he surfaced.  Amazing bird!

He just caught a fish but, it is very hard to see it

We've got to flap the water off our wings after a dive

And yet another dive

This loon is very far out in the lake.  I wasn't sure if the photo would be worthy of posting.

How gorgeous!

 

That's about it for this session.  I hope you enjoyed the loons.  Many folks go their entire lifetime and never see one.  I am blessed.   Remember;  give a dog a break.  Well;  thats it.  I gotta fly:

JUST BIRDS

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I took the dogs down to the old state park (ruins) this morning for a little snow running.  It was mid thirties in temperature and the sun was bright.  These were perfect conditions for photographing birds.  I soon learned that bird photography and dogs do not mix.  A sharp shinned hawk landed in a beach tree directly in front of me while sitting at the ruins and the dogs ran under the tree at the most opportune moment.  I never got the camera to my face.

The bird of the day seemed to be the cedar waxwing.  They were everywhere in the trees.  A few blue birds were hear and there but the cedar wings were the prominent species.  They were picking little berries off tree branches and appeared at ease with the day.

These are delightful birds to watch.  Their color is elegant and the masked face adds a special uniqueness and seals their individualism.

A blue bird appears

Ah;  some bright color

Some movement over to the right on the ground show a sparrow scratching out a meal for himself.  Some folks look down at this little bird but, they are as important as the most powerful, dynamic eagle.  Sparrows fight for life too.

Douglas was having a great day too.  The birds are wary about him but,  it's his morning and I can't complain about him scaring birds.  Gotta love him.  He's gorgeous.

The snow gently lay upon the branches of the low growing bushes and small trees.  The forest floor was covered in white.  The vision was beautiful but, would not last.  The sun would change the look with the coming of noon.  This is Tennessee;  not Pennsylvania.  The snow would soon disappear from the bushes.

A couple more shots of cedar waxwings and it will be time to leave.  I hope you enjoyed the birds.  Note the crest on his head

I'm not the best photographer but, I'm improving.  Thanks for your patience with my photographic attempts.  See you next time.  Don't forget to help a dog out.

A QUIET TIME

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It has been a few weeks since I put anything on this blog and that has been because the weather has not been cooperating.  Actually it still isn't.  I was going crazy waiting for a nice day to just get away.  Today isn't the best day for going hiking but I couldn't wait any longer.  I wanted to be at Indian Boundary Lake at sunup so that I could take advantage of possibly photographing an otter swimming.  I didn't get the early start I intended on and that is probably a good thing as the roads to the mountain lake were frozen and covered with ice; black and otherwise.   As the truck climbed up the Cherohalla Parkway through the forest; the snow along side the road became deeper and deeper.  Many trees were along the roadside sawed into pieces indicating that they were blown or fell across the roadway during the previous high winds and heavy snows.  The Cherohala climbs to over a mile high and the weather is unpredictable at that altitude.

It is mighty big country up here as can be seen from the above photo.  I pulled into the parking lot at Indian Boundary Lake and immediately noticed I was the only person there.  The sound of quiet was deafening. 

I decided to walk clear around the lake.  I believe the entire lake is only 98 acres so it shouldn't take that long.  I was in no hurry anyway.  I slung the camera around my neck and set off at a brisk pace.  As the trees became larger, I slowed down in case there might be some photo opportunities with birds.  The birds were scarce on this cold day.  Animals won't move around in frigid weather unless it is out of necessity.  Nature has hard wired them all to conserve precious energy.  It was difficult to even turn up a bird.  But, one did turn up.

I could hear the lackadaisical thumping of a woodpecker pounding against a tree not far away.  I waited and waited and eventually he landed far up on a tree in front of me.  I had a difficult time getting a clear picture of him because of all the limbs and sticks between us.  I did the best I could with the situation.

He was really working that tree over.  What a beautiful bird!  The pileated woodpecker is a wonderful bird to watch.  They are impressive with their ruby red head and glossy feathers.  The pileated are feared to be vanishing up in the Pennsylvania forests.  As a boy, I can remember seeing many of them.  But, later in years when visiting the big woods of Central Pennsylvania it was rare to see one.  Downys and Flickers with the occasional Red Headed Woodpecker were the birds that are prevalent according to my memory.  But, here in Tennessee the pileated woodpecker appears safe.  I'm certain it is because of the plentiful  habitat they and other species of birds enjoy.  We are most fortunate to have them to watch.

This old termite eaten stump is riddled by hungry woodpeckers.  As the stumps and dead falls rot;   the termites move in followed by the woodpeckers.  It's the natural way of life in the forest.  Everything in the forest makeup is dependent on something else.  And when that chain of events is broken; something suffers.  Usually the intervention of humans creates negative influences in the natural course of things.  Ok;  I won't get started.



The trail that follows the lakeside is an easy trail to walk.  It is designed for folks of all ages and ability.  Usually trails of this type disgust me as they invite multitudes of tourists to invade the delicate forested areas surrounding the lake.  But then, this place is designed to be visited.  The campgrounds are some of the best I have ever seen.  The summer months will bustle with visitors and the otters will hide during the day and come out during the quiet of the night.  And when Winter arrives all will be held in the cold, tight clutches of that season.  But, today this is all mine.  My footsteps are the only ones I hear.

The pathway travels close to the water's edge and crosses small streams with rustic foot bridges. 

We walk past wetlands that were created by the raising and lowering of the water level of the lake.  Trees, large and small, have fallen into these wet areas and are left to decay creating life giving nutrients to countless critters and insects.

The views are grand from practically any point on the trail.  The lake with the mountain backdrop will make anyone stop in their tracks and stare in awe at this jewel on the mountain.

As we walk along another foot bridge must be negotiated.  I say negotiated because the wood is covered with solid ice.   Don't ask me how I found that out.

Once past the last footbridge, the trail directs me through a canopy of green created by dense growths of rhododendron.  A charming bench beckons one to sit and relax.  Maybe in the Summer months but, not today.  The temperature is cold and I am motivated to keep moving along.

I am very glad I decided to come up here.  The air is crisp and fresh and the scenery is perfect in all directions.  Not one old can or bit of paper lays anywhere.   (Yet)  The trail stays close to the lake.  I am continually searching over the water's surface for an otter.  It's not looking good today for otters.

That's ok.  I can be content just looking at the views.  They are all spectacular.

I was beginning to think I was alone out here

This is a familier spot.  I was covered up with dragon flies here last Summer.  I remember driving the canoe into the grass to park it.  The dragon flies were everywhere. 

Splendid scenery!

Ok;  I gotta get a picture of a wild critter here.  This is the best I could come up with.  He's a beauty!

He's a common little bird but, no less important than the mightiest eagle

A handsome fellow.

The trail rounds the lake and comes back on the far side of the water.  The walk is nearly over.  This lake is made for a canoe.  How I miss being in that boat!

I complain alot about the intervention of people into the wilderness.  It's not that I don't like people in the forest;  it's the fact that folks from the city seem not to be educated in wilderness eticate.  I doubt they know the difference between a black rat snake and a copperhead.  And, many leave their trails littered with the same type paper cups, food wrappers and aluminum beverage cans that they litter their own city streets with.  It isn't always the case but, it seems to be the usual result of visitors who come to the wilds from the cities.  Oh well;  as a wise (maybe he wasn't) old man said once; (it is what it is.)

Another great day has come to an end.  The snow is really falling up here and I am concerned about this old 1991 two wheel drive Ford truck's abilities on ice covered roads.  I hope you enjoy the photographs and until next time;   help a dog.  Please don't turn your back on a lost dog.  The nights are frigid for them.  They feel the pain of cold just as we do.