Grabbing A Lunch

This afternoon I spotted a red throated loon paddling along in the salt marsh. Although loons can not walk on land due to their webbed feet hanging behind their back rather than under their body, they are extremely fast swimmers.

I got my exercise today trying to keep pace with this loon as it would disappear under the water in one spot, then surface 100 feet away in a matter of seconds.

I saw this guy grab several small fish and I could tell a chase was taking place just barely under the water as an occasional splash and wake would give away the action taking place.

I got lucky here when the loon came up with this fish right in front of my location, then he floated off back deeper into the marsh where I eventually lost sight of him.

14 thoughts on “Grabbing A Lunch”

Patrizia M. on February 9, 2015 at 6:14 pm said:

Super belle, che magnifici scatti. Bravissimo come sempre, complimenti
Ciao, Pat

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- Phil Lanoue on February 9, 2015 at 9:37 pm said:
  
  Grazie Pat! 🙂
  
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Mickey Moten on February 9, 2015 at 7:00 pm said:

Hey Phil,
I really love the way you document the natural world we live in. Even better, I appreciate that you are willing to share your spectacular photos with the rest of us. Those loons must be amazing to see in person traveling so quickly under water, then resurfacing far from where you last saw them. I’ll admit, before I started visiting your blog, I had no idea what a loon was. Back then, that was just a name given to some of the people I’ve worked with in the past. ;o)
I hope to pay you a visit out in the marshlands one of these days. Until then, please keep up the great work.
Take care,
Mick

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- Phil Lanoue on February 10, 2015 at 11:14 am said:
  
  Hey Mick, well I greatly appreciate your very kind comments and I’m thrilled you enjoy seeing the various wildlife photos. Yes the loon is a super fast swimmer, much faster then even the cormorant who swims quickly as well.
  But that’s fine, I need the exercise. 🙂
  See ya,
  Phil
  
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Birder's Journey on February 9, 2015 at 7:53 pm said:

These really are close up shots! I never knew there were different kinds of loons – but love the sound of the loons in the Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York. I wonder if they also swim fast?

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- Phil Lanoue on February 10, 2015 at 11:16 am said:
  
  I was hoping to hear this one call out but it never did. I expect the loons in upstate NY are fast swimmers as well.
  Thanks for checking these out!
  
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Bella Remy Photography on February 9, 2015 at 10:30 pm said:

Check you out !! A Loon? How ever did he end up at the Marsh? Send him back up north will ya?

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- Phil Lanoue on February 10, 2015 at 11:18 am said:
  
  I was more then a little surprised to see this guy suddenly come floating by, and it was right at the time I had concluded I probably wouldn’t see anything interesting today. He fought fly up to visit you, I’ll suggest it to him. 🙂
  
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foxleylady on February 10, 2015 at 1:10 pm said:

What great detail, Phil! He really is a lovely bird!

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- Phil Lanoue on February 10, 2015 at 1:54 pm said:
  
  They are cute little guys. I was hoping to hear that haunting call be he never made a sound.
  
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Raewyn's Photos on February 10, 2015 at 3:20 pm said:

Super captures. Right place, right time.

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Charlie@Seattle Trekker on February 10, 2015 at 4:08 pm said:

I know intellectually how the circle that is life exists, I am still just having a bit of a problem adjusting to it. I know when I eat lunch the same is true for me.

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The Lite Rider on February 11, 2015 at 6:32 pm said:

He does look like he’s built for speed. I can’t believe how you can capture so much of what the salt marsh denizens do! The and close ups are stunning.

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Pat on February 11, 2015 at 8:23 pm said:

Great close looks at this beautiful fellow.

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