A magical moment with a Red-throated Loon

I had an incredible magic moment today when a Red-throated Loon swam up to me while I lay on a dock. It's never happened before to me.... even in Nome, AK I never got this close to this species. Wonder if it was the perfume I was wearing? ;). He was so close I had no choice but to take a portrait...but you can't really complain when you are in that situation. These loons are so beautiful and elegant. I felt sorry for him since he didn't have a mate and was calling his beautiful haunting call. He should be up north by now nesting I hope he finds what he seeks.

Red-throated Loon almost too close for comfort! - Photo: Melissa Hafting

He backed off finally and I was able to get him doing a brief shake then he swam right back to me. I'll never forget this special day.

Red-throated Loon in BC - Photo: Melissa Hafting

A magic moment shared with a Red-throated Loon - Photos: Melissa Hafting

I made a video of the Loon as well which you can watch below:



You can see how close he was to me:

Unbelievable moment.

Days like this don't happen everyday and I'll treasure this one forever to come. Thanks to my friends Chris and Heather for giving me this I really needed the pick me up. Sometime animals come into our lives for a reason and this loon certainly brightened up mine.

Comments

  1. UnknownMay 26, 2018 at 10:54 PM

    Wow amazing photos and experience! Never seen a RTLO yet...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Len JellicoeMay 27, 2018 at 6:07 PM

    A great experience.

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownMay 28, 2018 at 11:20 AM

    wow, that's so cool!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Liron GertsmanMay 28, 2018 at 10:38 PM

    Congrats on these stunning photos of a beautiful bird!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Peter ZadoroznyMay 29, 2018 at 8:10 PM

    What a marvelous experience - WOW You are really showing off the beauty of the loon with those pix.

    ReplyDelete
  6. UnknownMay 29, 2018 at 8:50 PM

    Wow!!! Absolutely magnificent portrait! What an amazing experience! wonder why it is so relaxed?

    ReplyDelete
  7. emilyJune 1, 2018 at 12:35 AM

    this is really outrageous mel. how lucky you were to experience this guess the loon knows how special you are which we all knew already :). thank you for sharing these incredible photos with us i am floored by how close you got to this magnetic creature.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Melissa HaftingJune 1, 2018 at 12:39 AM

    Thank you all so much for the very kind words, much appreciated!

    ReplyDelete

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