Although Loons are definitely "Party Animals", they spend a lot of time and skill in parenting
They harvest spagnum moss
and transport it to the nest location on their backs.
They also ferry the young chicks on their backs. This protects them from predation by snapping turtles.
Using nothing but a beak, how would YOU swallow a fish?
Was his luck bigger than his gullet?
At least he was a good model for the chicks to imitate.
The chicks must be taught to dive. They prefer to eat from the "Parent Buffet".
Teenagers are always hungry. It's true throughout the animal world.
Sometimes they just keep pestering Mom until she feeds them.
This sequence shows an adult wrestling with "too much dinner".
He almost spits it out and repositions the fish in his throat.
One more swallow attempt....
DONE! Whew.
Let's get that settled in down there...
All's well that ends well.
About mid-August, loons begin to "raft" together. The only logical explanation is that they are comparing travel plans for the fall.
They play games, like racing by sculling along the water, "rowing" with their wings.
It takes a lot of energy for a Loon to get airborne.
Here is a Mom providing a big fish to her teenager
and then she stays close by as he struggles with the "swallow" technique.
Careful! You almost have it...
Celebrating success (and a full stomach).