A Loon on the Lake

March 30, 2009 by

This week Townsend spotted a Common Loon, which decided to hang around the High Rocks Lake for a few days.  None of us could remember ever seeing a loon here at camp.  Townsend is a big fan of the loon and enjoys seeing the birds on her annual family trip to Algonquin Provincial Park in Canada.  She gave us hourly updates on what the loon was up to and checked up on him for several days until he left.

High Rocks Common Loon Sighting
High Rocks Common Loon Sighting

The Common Loon is surrounded by an aura of myth and magic. Among a wealth of Native American tales, a loon created the world in a Chippewa story; a Micmac saga describes Kwee-moo, the loon who was a special messenger of Glooscap, the tribal hero; and the tale of the loon’s necklace was handed down in many versions among Pacific Coast peoples. The loon’s voice is its most recognizable characteristic. The Yodel, its territorial call, given only by the male, is called the “song of the loon.”

 

The Common Loon breeds mostly in Canada and winters in many places throughout North America.  It sure was fun having him around for a few days!  Maybe he’ll be back next spring.

Common Loon stock photo
Common Loon stock photo

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