Great Blue Heron

Sunday morning in my yard

The Rose

Click for song & lyrics

Looo-hooo-hooo-hooo-hooons (The Common Loon)

     I snapped these photographs some years ago on Upper Lead Mountain Pond located down in the woods about half way across ME Route 9,  "The Airline". 

Click for Loon Video

     Through the misty sunrise on a northern lake eches a sound that stirs profound emotions in anyone who hears it; the haunting cry of the Common Loon.  The loon symbolizes the wilderness of the north - wilderness that many of us, trapped in an ever-more-urbanized society, long for from the depths of our souls.


     Since ancient times the loon has featured prominently in Native American mythology. In Sioux and Lakota legends it plays a role in recreating the post-diluvian world. An Ojibwa tale credits the loon’s voice as the inspiration for Native American flutes. And from Alaska, a Tsimshian story describes how a loon restores a blind man’s sight, for which it is rewarded with the gift of the beautiful necklace of white feathers adorning its neck.

     Strikingly handsome, with jewel-like red eyes and an unearthly yet beautiful call, fiercely territorial while breeding, and possessed of magical powers—clearly there’s nothing “common” about the Common Loon. On the other hand its European name, “Great Northern Diver,” is a name well deserved, for the loon is a master of the aquatic environment. With barely a splash it slips beneath the water’s surface in search of food, propelling itself powerfully and with great agility using its large webbed feet. It dives as deep as 180 feet and, although dives usually average under a minute, loons have been known to stay underwater for as long as 15 minutes.

     Feet set far back on the body make the loon a powerhouse of a swimmer, but hamper its mobility on land. An incubating adult can only shuffle awkwardly to get onto its nest. A chick has a similar struggle to clamber onto its parent’s back to rest or warm up.

     Luxuriating in the warmth of the adult’s body, the tired chick may immediately fall asleep, sometimes neglecting to stow a foot or a wing in its exhausted state. Adult loons sometimes roll over onto one side and hold one webbed foot in the air while loafing or preening on the water. It’s called the “foot waggle” but, unlike the drowsy chick, the adult does it purposefully, to cool down in warm weather.

Dynamic Views

If you are interested in viewing this site using different dynamic views, click on the side bar "Dynamic Views of This Site" and choose Sidebar, Flip Card, Snapshot, or Time Slide at the upper right of the page. Experiment with it and enjoy.

Another Great Blog I Support

Click above to go to site.

     If you enjoy the true flavor of New England,  you will certainly be sure to enjoy this blog.  When the author visited my blog she said, "I have a strong connection to lighthouses because I actually lived in one for 5 years as a child. My late father was stationed at Eaton's Neck Long Island, NY in the Coast Guard (early 60's). Before I was born he was stationed at Portland Head and was the captain of the Nantucket Lightship in the 50's".  As you can see she we had an instantaneous connection.  She is also a strong supporter of my wonderful daughter-in-law whose blog, "And Baby Makes Five" is also well worth visiting.  I sincerely hope you will visit both of these wonderful sites.  Enjoy!  Tell them I sent you.

Flowers from My Daughter's House in Oregon

      Last fall my wife and I took a trip to Oregon to visit our daughter and her husband in Irrigon.  We went to meet our new granddaughter Ellie, whom they had just adopted from China.  While there, I took the time to shoot a few flower shots in her gardens.  I hope they brighten your day.  Enjoy!

Light at the End of The Tunnel

     This is a shot I took I took at a poplar tree far.  You can just barely see light at the end of the long opening between the rows of trees.  I think it is sort of neat. 

     If you enjoy these breaks I take from lighthouses, please leave a comment below.  Thanks and enjoy.

Amazing Storm Photos of Lighthouses

Check out this link for "Storm Photos".

Another Super Blog I Recommend

Downeast Days(click)

A Photographic Journey Through The Maine Coast

If you enjoy outstanding photography from along the Maine coast and incredibly fine writing, you will be sure to like Downeast Days.  Please give it a try!

A Great Blog Worth Visiting

This is a blog that I follow regularly.  If you appreciate the good life please take a few minutes to check it out.  Thank you!  Enjoy!http://weepingcedarhollow.blogspot.com

America The Proud

I am making this post simply to start my wildlife collection.  It was quite a catch.

Random Flowers from Roatan, Honduras

     At the end of March this year, my wife and I took a Cruise to the Western Caribbean.  These are photos of flowers I added to my collection while we were on Roatan, Honduras.  I also shot flowers on Grand Cayman Island and on Cozumel, Mexico.  Perhaps I will post those on a later date.  Enjoy!

A Truly Outstanding Blog -

If you have a passion for family, cooking, or crafting please join my wonderful, courageous daughter-in-law at her blog: andbabymakesfive-colleen.blogspot.com.  Therein you can also follow her journey in her fight to conquer cancer.  Her positive attitude has be an inspiration for all.  I am sure she would enjoy having everyone's support.

                                                             Let the sun shine!