Lily Pads and Loon

Through the dark, quiet water moves the loon. It is early summer, and the chick or chicks have not quite hatched. Loons are loud and boisterous in late summer and when far from the nest. But during the nesting period, they are silent and secretive. It is surprising how a small lake can hide such a large bird. Very few sites are suitable for the nest. It must be at the water's edge and only inches above water level.

The loon is considered the most primitive of North American birds. That means it is most like its reptilian ancestors. It is built for a strictly aquatic life with its legs so far back that it cannot walk on land. It pushes itself along sliding on the belly. Therefore, the nest must be inches and seconds away from the water. It nests in grasses or reeds. Rocky shores, bluffs or beaches will not do.

The nest site must also be sheltered from waves. In most northern lakes, this means that the southern and eastern shore are ineligible because of prevailing north and west winds. A new and serious threat to loon breeding success is the power boat which can create waves in sheltered bays which wash the eggs into the water. Thus, locations which have not had waves for centuries may suddenly have a violent motor boat wake which heedlessly wipes out one loon hatching for that year. So secretive are the loons at nesting time that I have never found a nest of the pair on our cottage lake though I have been going there since I was a boy.

In this painting I wanted to convey that feeling. I made it long and horizontal to convey a secretive, tranquil look. I played up the lily pads and grasses and made the water a velvety, blackish green with light splotches that camouflage the loon so well near shore.