#Loons

In honor of National Loon Day❤️ 📸: @cleanlakesmn #loon #loons #nationalloonday #minnesota #wildlife

They come back every year ❤️#itsafeeling #loons #mateforlife

The people speak, and I listen. Day 23 of Fat A** Birds, Common Loon Edition. . Are they really that common though? 😅 . . . #fatbird #loon #loons #birdlover #birdloversdaily #birdwatching #birbs #birders

The National Loon Center hosted its annual Star of the North Loon Calling Contest on Sept. 27, 2025 in Crosslake, MN. These are the top two adult loon calling winners. @nationallooncenter aims to restore and protect loon breeding habitats, enhance responsible recreation and serve as a national leader in advancing loon and freshwater research and education. The non-profit is working on a new education center to be opened in the next 12-18 months in Crosslake. #exploremn #onlyinmn #minnesota #looncall #loons #exploreminnesota #onlyinminnesota #crosslakemn #brainerdlakesarea

Peace! 🎥 @harrycollinsphotography 🎵 Acoustic duo ~ Here comes the sun ・・・ #loons #nature #birds #birdlife

Have you ever heard the call of a Common Loon in the morning? 🎶 A quiet morning and several years of practice photographing on a rocking kayak allowed Harry Collins (@harrycollinsphotography) to capture this Common Loon family calling on a lake. He made sure to keep a safe distance so as not to not disturb the loons, as they are very protective of their young. Harry submitted this fantastic clip to this year's Audubon Photography Awards.

Since June, I've had the privilege of working on a special project with my dear friend and incredibly talented filmmaker/editor @joelhaslamcreative. I have been a professional photographer for over 35 years and I'm thrilled (and very excited) to announce that my FIRST EVER behind-the-scenes online photography workshop is finally available online with the @jowp.official! A little background... we've embarked on a captivating journey that began with @seaforthexpeditions in search of coastal wolves on Vancouver Island. Our encounters with these elusive creatures, their adorable pups and other wildlife were nothing short of breathtaking. The changing tides and the summer solstice provided us with the perfect opportunity for capturing these stunning moments. Joel brilliantly captured our 16-hour days in the field alongside other crazy-about-wildlife talented photographers in our group! We've put together a 13-episode course where we'll take you behind-the-scenes of our photography adventures on the wild west coast of BC but I will also bring you to the Great Bear Rainforest with @oceanlightadventures and cover tech talks, equipment insights and packing tips – again with another group of awesome photographers! I delve into the art of working with light, exposure, ISO, shutter speeds and aperture settings. I explore animal behavior and managing expectations, all while discovering the magic of creating emotionally impactful images that tell a compelling story. We then transport you to Sharbot Lake where I venture out in my kayak every morning that I can in search of wildlife like loons and otters. These beautiful creatures constantly inspire me to be the best photographer I can be! Some of the most powerful photographs are waiting to be captured right in our own backyards. Let’s learn together and be the best wildlife photographers we can be! For more information you can visit - JOWP LINK IN BIO #wildlifephotography #onlineworkshop #coastalwolves #seawolves #canada #nikonnofilter #nikon #beautiful #wildlife #loons #bears #spiritbear

Always honored to sing our nations anthem 🇺🇸 for the @mnufc ⚽️ and they won 3-1 🏆 ! #nationalanthem #nateamor #mnufc #loons #soccer #mls

Loons are migrating through Indiana, and I am stoked. They’re called Great Northern Divers in Europe, and I get it. They are great divers. #birds #loons #wildlife

The state flag submissions say a lot about our identity as Minnesotans. #minnesota #stateflag #design #loons #dogs #mosquito #minnesotan

Many people don’t know common loons have these striking beautiful red eyes… The common loon’s striking red eyes are one of its most captivating features, and they serve both practical and biological purposes. here’s how! 1. Adaptation for Hunting Underwater Loons are exceptional divers, capable of swimming underwater for long stretches while chasing fish. Their red eyes help reduce glare and improve visibility beneath the surface, especially in the darker, tannin-stained waters of northern lakes where they often live. The pigment may enhance contrast and allow them to spot prey more easily in dim, underwater environments. 2. Breeding Season Signal The vivid red color is most pronounced during the summer breeding season. Scientists believe it acts as a visual signal between loons, possibly playing a role in mate attraction and territorial defense. It emphasizes their intense, alert gaze when defending nesting areas from rivals or intruders. 3. Seasonal Change Interestingly, outside of the breeding season, when loons migrate to coastal waters for the winter, their eyes become a duller reddish-brown. This seasonal change supports the idea that the bright red is linked to breeding behaviors and territorial displays, not just vision. 4. Survival Advantage Because loons are highly territorial, the fierce, glowing look of their eyes may help intimidate rivals and reinforce dominance on a lake. A loon’s haunting calls combined with those piercing red eyes make them one of the most iconic birds of the north. 👉 In short, the loon’s red eyes are both tools for survival underwater and signals of strength and vitality during the breeding season. check out a recent shot in my gallery, and follow for more if you love Birds! #birds #nature #loons

Find the birds 🕊️ Find the fish 🐟 #birds #wildlife #outdoors #fishing #loons