tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22065503104573224782024-03-04T21:26:39.859-08:00merlin braun photographyLoon, baby loon and landscape photography are my passion. Right now I'm watching a few new loon nests in Lake of the Woods and will update my blog every time I see a change in the birds. You can see more of my photos at www.merlinbraunphotography.com Merlin Braunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17171221261797374893noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206550310457322478.post-3041587342545982742014-06-28T10:33:00.001-07:002014-06-28T10:33:50.727-07:00Dead in the water...Once again (10 out of 11 years) Lake of the Woods water levels have risen significantly. This rise swamps out the low lying loon nest. Our nest is probably about 2 ft under water by now. So sad. There is a small chance the pair might try one more time but time is flying by. Hopefully the pair will stay together. The accepted theory was that Loons mate for life. This is relatively true; unless they have trouble having young. It is at that point they might leave to find another partner. I'm not certain the 2 loons in our bay are the exact same 2 we met 12 years ago or not. There was one year that there was only one loon in the bay (after 2 failed nesting attempts the previous year) so all bets are off.<br />
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I'm including a shot of the neighbour's dock. The top of the dock is usually about a meter above "normal" lake levels. The cans on top of the dock are full of water and are trying desperately to hold the top of the dock in place, above the cribs below.<br />
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<br />Merlin Braunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17171221261797374893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206550310457322478.post-57768248153659117832014-06-08T17:43:00.002-07:002014-06-10T16:24:16.684-07:00Okay, let's try this again! My loon pair trying to have young again!Two weeks ago there was just some casual dating happening in our bay. This last weekend was a great surprise as we see there is a nest with the loons (they take turns) sitting on the eggs! I pedal boated reasonably close and grabbed some photographs of the happy parent(s). Funny thing is that they'll leave the nest for hours on end and then sit on them for hours on end. I guess they know what they're doing. <br />
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30 days is the average incubation period, so if all goes well, there might be some baby loons in our bay come the end of June! I won't get my hopes up as the Lake of the Woods water level has been steadily rising and only a few inches more will swamp the nest. The nests are pretty primitive. The loons basically sit and then drag mud and sticks from around them, into the nest. <br />
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For those unfamiliar with loons, they have to nest right by the water as they cannot walk on land. They drag themselves onto the make-shift nest and drag themselves back into the lake to feed. They're back legs are too far placed in their body to walk on land. This unique feature, however, makes them incredible swimmers! <br />
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Stay tuned! Next post will be in two weeks when we return, hopefully to see them still nesting.<br />
More photographs of the 2014 Loon talent show are on my <a href="http://www.merlinbraunphotography.com/p173071019">website</a>.<br />
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<br />Merlin Braunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17171221261797374893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206550310457322478.post-314908753607268082013-07-06T07:09:00.001-07:002013-07-06T07:09:36.002-07:00Another loon family foundThankfully the pair of loons in our bay seem to be staying together, even after having 2 nests fail this spring. From what I've researched, loons typically stay together for life unless one dies or they have trouble having offspring. Two Springs ago, when a similar swamping of nests occurred in our bay, there was only one loon swimming about all summer. I'm encouraged there are still two hanging out thus far this year!<br />
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I do have some new loon pictures with babies though! A neighbor dropped a hint that there was a family of loons about 5 km away in a small inlet in Clearwater Bay. That evening I jumped on our Sea Doo and checked it out. <br />
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Well, there they were. However, they certainly behaved like a normal loon family; darting about, calling out when I came anywhere near. (like 300 meters). The problem with the Sea Doo is that it is very hard to keep in one spot. A pedal boat is much better and makes less noise. I was determined to somehow get some shots so spent about 1.5 hours slowly moving back and forth, getting closer and closer to the loons. My plan, which seemed to work, was to acclimatize them to me and the boat and by the time 1.5 hours went by, I was able to get near enough to snap a few photos. <br />
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The young didn't ride on the parent's backs at all, and seemed bigger than the little ones I photographed years ago. One of the young was even able to duck under water and swim for a while before popping up about 10 meters away! <br />
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I sure miss the moments photographing the family in our bay; they were very trusting and even fed their young while I sat in my pedal boat, just meters away. I am still thankful I was able to get a few quality pictures to add to my Loon collection. <br />
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<br />Merlin Braunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17171221261797374893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206550310457322478.post-68356423795545173382013-06-24T17:42:00.002-07:002013-06-24T17:42:38.004-07:00Well, another year, another failure. just heard from the neighbour at the lake that the loons abandoned the nest yesterday. It then rained like crazy and they can't even see the nest any more. There is a slim chance they might start a 3rd nest, but it's very rare. I think we're done again. They made it to day 20; only 9 more to go and then failure. So sad. Might try blogging again next year!Merlin Braunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17171221261797374893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206550310457322478.post-87513740495337912962013-06-16T19:21:00.000-07:002013-06-16T19:21:41.495-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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This is the second nest this pair of loons have attempted this spring. The first was washed out by the rising Lake of the Woods levels over the past few weeks. The Lake is controlled by an outlet to the Winnipeg River System (which eventually empties into Lake Winnipeg) and it seems like they haven't quite got a hold of how much water to let out or hold... One would think that loons aren't so smart as they seemingly should build their nests higher up the land. The problem with loons is that they need to nest right next to the water as they are unable to walk on land. Their back legs are situated so far back in their bodies that walking is impossible. They actually drag themselves up on the nest with their wings! This design, however, allows them to swim like a fish. </div>
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This second nest and its 2 eggs were set up on June 1st and it takes about 29-30 days for the eggs to incubate. As long as the water doesn't rise, the eggs don't get wet, the local eagles don't eat the eggs (The loons leave the nest up to an hour at a time), I might have 2 baby loons to photograph right in the beginning of July! Hope to be out at the lake next weekend (June 23rd) to update the blog. </div>
<br />Merlin Braunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17171221261797374893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206550310457322478.post-60364131593608494162011-07-23T10:35:00.000-07:002011-07-23T10:42:19.141-07:00The loon guy is back in business! By complete accident, while boating close to my father's cabin in Lake of the Woods, we found a new loon family with two young! The pair that tried 2x unsucessfully to reproduce last year because of flooding of their nest, never showed up this year. So finding another family, though much tougher to photograph than our friendly loons in our bay, was a great surprise. Check out more shots on my <a href="http://www.merlinbraunphotography.com/p4996133">webpage</a>!<div><br /></div><div><div><br /><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIZhW0RCzSH0NTwHhZwZ9Jdlgmzl233xX7WC-pNFMBD9NFlkcYOjhYOs-VVMp50i9W26rUf3UoP6mUWdQ41zKreIiIXmiVdGfBgh8ozz_9xwlFolaNuGfpI017Z1bX4VNtDUsISxVd30/s320/DSC_5396.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632604059022390946" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7TWlEp8OMXDrjA7Ih9DGlEnrh3e5p_PjGPlamhnxP0d8Gk9-3dvpuWx9Cjgs9vcT48aQfTiUXyMWHlOFMHsZu_WY-9ij-G4JUn-IIsw1sJlrFYCRVZ21ioOEIzujaX03CYKl3sPlR5o/s320/DSC_5955.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632604043509113458" /></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4LHL1UFDCfoEUJDC_aAJIcAvZPrVdb68xYv5AH3SWEsngSiN9DXL_rGKF3Apc1yRDHXi4wybB3OFbcQwQ8ko3k5sUxVzRBO2EB27Bf7Hsxpkc9iPJQn4pBGrrI9o7fg77Z00VQ-0JAbs/s320/DSC_5499.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632604050192405570" /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Merlin Braunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17171221261797374893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206550310457322478.post-12550546531581496782011-04-12T19:40:00.000-07:002011-04-12T20:01:32.665-07:00Disney family trip 2011<img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzT3dgHDuSaBPOfQYaOOEyqEWoiHHkopuB-ZlS7TS2bBsKo1xFSg2H8V0EtZ0vXwVVcHbq1UIPYPYfYscEj97_W2m-MHESKofMW7-OcASJx8HrQ5RiWko9E_5Nz61SIwtTxCiGzo2qtP0/s320/DSC_8555.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594896426223208466" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 171px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHVOBUMlJN_sF5LMnAMq8GHjVF6_oQCVIMrHv7Em8gVmDeTDLe4WVGo43-kqlmiIx5vtykiSCKDa7eH1TXNbTvOlULkmY1csoA2tVUxausW0kmFmCA0YGjOY7WnVcQ-2fQTTDV9LVBEU/s320/DSC_8156.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594896493813910594" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Vs5HOO6wwDx26iL5Hm-sVKgJNyjQcMMpvhFBpSGzKA0Ea7zc2xsAOJUlkddISqcT-Abm_VQFRAMY-EthV6f5EMxHLF8Y5o3HjMYdz3DTMAn9qbfmWwQFjN1Mb0gZkRmsIZgny6jZVjo/s1600/DSC_8470.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Vs5HOO6wwDx26iL5Hm-sVKgJNyjQcMMpvhFBpSGzKA0Ea7zc2xsAOJUlkddISqcT-Abm_VQFRAMY-EthV6f5EMxHLF8Y5o3HjMYdz3DTMAn9qbfmWwQFjN1Mb0gZkRmsIZgny6jZVjo/s320/DSC_8470.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594896480951430306" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxed4kp-4WFrtHUe-p_0zYw2CeLrun1WoQKL-sCBblYVz3-XrVu6MgqdtGjXynelv6HK0KEaNWVPSJCxw-Q4Qh0d6DP5uHMhfPFiXlV0JADqa8wT1jHzVWM0qyHtJuoKvb6Ekf8gmNLM/s1600/DSC_8058.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxed4kp-4WFrtHUe-p_0zYw2CeLrun1WoQKL-sCBblYVz3-XrVu6MgqdtGjXynelv6HK0KEaNWVPSJCxw-Q4Qh0d6DP5uHMhfPFiXlV0JADqa8wT1jHzVWM0qyHtJuoKvb6Ekf8gmNLM/s320/DSC_8058.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594896470261443394" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8CmGkeZbSLluIIvqBhjxkAxz962FCbtfD15YFLWl_3zXfNTpMp98I4HDVDG3KJDQNsq7lvJZTE4aHyqeSP31ktkoXjhCwIwr_8LtGt49NRv_q0_MTS_UOqOQ4cX8cUImEuEJc648Kas/s1600/DSC_7294.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 205px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8CmGkeZbSLluIIvqBhjxkAxz962FCbtfD15YFLWl_3zXfNTpMp98I4HDVDG3KJDQNsq7lvJZTE4aHyqeSP31ktkoXjhCwIwr_8LtGt49NRv_q0_MTS_UOqOQ4cX8cUImEuEJc648Kas/s320/DSC_7294.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594896453401931202" /></a><br /><br />Had a great time with Sheri's side of the family in Disney at the end of March. Was in a Disney park every day but one. Unfortunately we had two days that just poured buckets; made national weather news because of the amount and longevity of the rain. Didn't seem much like Florida those days!<div><br /></div><div>Some of the highlights were rides we had never been on in other visits to Disney; Expedition Everest, Finding Nemo puppet play (way cooler than it sounds; check my webpage for shots) and The Hall of Presidents (okay, joking on the last one) </div><div><br /></div><div>Actually, on a day where we dropped off our kids at Universal Theme Park, Sheri and I went back to Disney and went on all the "lame" rides that people don't generally go on. Had a blast and no lineups! Carousel of Progress, The Hall of Presidents, Country Bear Jamboree etc. </div><div><br /></div><div>See a wack more shots on my <a href="http://www.merlinbraunphotography.com/p765756264">webpage</a>. </div><div><br /></div>Merlin Braunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17171221261797374893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206550310457322478.post-8691507807582529202011-01-29T15:37:00.000-08:002011-01-29T15:50:47.388-08:00Jessica headshotsHad an old student call me up to fire off some headshots for her. Had a great time, and I think the photos are beautiful! Shot these just outside my art room at school. I love the abstract nature of lockers, seating areas, doors and tile squares when pushed out of focus. Jessica had great patience with me as I fumbled my way around! <div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlPgEHi2b8SKtaE6RO_juWTe4cLcC4BZ7KgGLyPNWFLWD1rKIKNVKqG6iuPvE6hyphenhyphenA_a54cgk9rsLG-8H0roIvQUuI4xz3SyLdxgzOsETDzjkg3efqk3apAeue-hGQmYfirUsfJkSuwiZg/s320/DSC_3303.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567758609009594434" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRq0aDnGHR11vgw-U5iTs08-qNTY8-IL3MBGWCPoQEkuZ4HZQuYG9L7PXCc743epr_rER-pujkUp5_DS4uazIGN7oTiC6A7Xo9F0FgJdUIdkF02aoCYonzqxCLOgLqDpJbr6o4v4vV8_k/s320/DSC_3296.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567758597227839522" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha7Wf48XxkR71taleouDuK0YsRXgWvCC2FVhlCcOfPPo3CIOgIjbhGXdcDd4o30x0yWNspGUyJwW9gmTy0-Q6swdGmgxj6HqB5wAj-CE3cKcnjrO43lI1KzHrUy4weqd8ZEYnz90yMwCM/s320/DSC_3402.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567759190294369858" /></div>Merlin Braunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17171221261797374893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206550310457322478.post-83063089176401794212010-11-26T17:04:00.000-08:002010-11-26T17:20:08.565-08:00MBCI Hawks win provincial semi-final vs Selkirk@<div>Trailing 2 sets to 1, and 7 points down, the MBCI varsity boys volleyball team scraped their way out of a desperate situation and went on to win the 4th set and take the match in 5; 15-13. See more shots on my <a href="http://www.merlinbraunphotography.com/p796746880">webpage</a></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSlr56MBUN1UHodiy7hFRCzly2JO3tDXCMa-JEWQgeahueqvu_dS6zX-DxzCCxg6TfkwJfucgTO4SOwgFF0MJxir57nwwjMaMg82OzlRgRqQBBNrTiAyotJ_ZXlaC43IgtX77HMQ1SRrY/s1600/DSC_1131.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSlr56MBUN1UHodiy7hFRCzly2JO3tDXCMa-JEWQgeahueqvu_dS6zX-DxzCCxg6TfkwJfucgTO4SOwgFF0MJxir57nwwjMaMg82OzlRgRqQBBNrTiAyotJ_ZXlaC43IgtX77HMQ1SRrY/s320/DSC_1131.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544030759466433026" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_lCf17fdXEYfJUopDmkFACePk5rWVBo20BBjbLpJTZq7uaIOhjq6QhRW7-r3Y6GvEddfE7FolO8WA5_70WJGb8lXvW_Yro1rilkJ8R0tu-9KDtQVtzB3N1wkSzDiYeK5vKFbyddWqrg/s1600/DSC_0886.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_lCf17fdXEYfJUopDmkFACePk5rWVBo20BBjbLpJTZq7uaIOhjq6QhRW7-r3Y6GvEddfE7FolO8WA5_70WJGb8lXvW_Yro1rilkJ8R0tu-9KDtQVtzB3N1wkSzDiYeK5vKFbyddWqrg/s320/DSC_0886.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544030752718469698" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaRX4-Pij7e-K18IwHDfpOwC09mDWDz2NZhw9HfOMgLFWiNDoTu0TnnO3Gf9028ucil-Hksgb1eeB5E57ksQJLPoyv3wFfNAhzZJ6fi74egpdBgp3XOyWQj9vaXIoBc-1Z0McZ9aETmHc/s1600/DSC_0840.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 269px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaRX4-Pij7e-K18IwHDfpOwC09mDWDz2NZhw9HfOMgLFWiNDoTu0TnnO3Gf9028ucil-Hksgb1eeB5E57ksQJLPoyv3wFfNAhzZJ6fi74egpdBgp3XOyWQj9vaXIoBc-1Z0McZ9aETmHc/s320/DSC_0840.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544030747165671586" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRccgaUVPFxoXyDVmpGcbrGzj_06A8PbIkRqIhyphenhyphenIHsFBd75gjwQHRbbsv3Ru6tN528mfCUICuu6BXoTou4sCvVPlxN0ZTqOxhaEQiclsUiGv-Uk4Hvpy05jAe8ktNB9WpFJii_4SLYCS0/s1600/DSC_1220.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRccgaUVPFxoXyDVmpGcbrGzj_06A8PbIkRqIhyphenhyphenIHsFBd75gjwQHRbbsv3Ru6tN528mfCUICuu6BXoTou4sCvVPlxN0ZTqOxhaEQiclsUiGv-Uk4Hvpy05jAe8ktNB9WpFJii_4SLYCS0/s320/DSC_1220.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544030743897137138" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Merlin Braunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17171221261797374893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206550310457322478.post-88886067610990793462010-11-14T18:23:00.001-08:002010-11-14T18:25:19.522-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP80g-g3lcS7YYANVtw5gZ9KEKDTfBPdzuE2H4D-BdSHY0mj7LEa8N4HbLaq5u020kHimdeWTKS2m_j6kH6M-SrzA3wmrbnhLxx7M0AUvkKB1dJA7BbZdlHrvbBWuu976feJZb751Twts/s1600/DSC_0089.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP80g-g3lcS7YYANVtw5gZ9KEKDTfBPdzuE2H4D-BdSHY0mj7LEa8N4HbLaq5u020kHimdeWTKS2m_j6kH6M-SrzA3wmrbnhLxx7M0AUvkKB1dJA7BbZdlHrvbBWuu976feJZb751Twts/s320/DSC_0089.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539596667343713666" /></a><br />The MBCI (Mennonite Brethren Collegiate Institute) varsity boys team defeated the 1st ranked Selkirk team on Friday, Nov 12th 3 to 1 sets. It was a great final (well, for us) with lots of noisy and exuberant fans showing up for both sides! To see more shots, visit my <a href="http://www.merlinbraunphotography.com/p721604424">website</a><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Merlin Braunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17171221261797374893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206550310457322478.post-83789540087316015702010-10-27T15:21:00.000-07:002010-10-27T15:42:19.803-07:00Gimli fishermen<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm2PFQyQY697a-I1lbTjU8YcAVKkiaDoBIR97oBPOsIjd08mwzsp_ncwW7ioXFxH1pY8aGJrZMRlxmROYe7XmwDovZKExhfPUN0jDCiE3VQLVsFqeKHUbl-jXUcHo1ouvLzs88RoPInqI/s1600/DSC_8583.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm2PFQyQY697a-I1lbTjU8YcAVKkiaDoBIR97oBPOsIjd08mwzsp_ncwW7ioXFxH1pY8aGJrZMRlxmROYe7XmwDovZKExhfPUN0jDCiE3VQLVsFqeKHUbl-jXUcHo1ouvLzs88RoPInqI/s320/DSC_8583.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532858445364676178" /></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm2PFQyQY697a-I1lbTjU8YcAVKkiaDoBIR97oBPOsIjd08mwzsp_ncwW7ioXFxH1pY8aGJrZMRlxmROYe7XmwDovZKExhfPUN0jDCiE3VQLVsFqeKHUbl-jXUcHo1ouvLzs88RoPInqI/s1600/DSC_8583.jpg"></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">During the Thanksgiving weekend I was fortunate enough to hook up with a few seasoned fishermen who call Gimli their home port. I went out two mornings to witness (and help, yuck fish are slimy, especially when trying to handle a camera...) the tending of their single net, just outside the harbour. Harvey Benson, the owner of the boat, used to be a high school principal in Gimli over 25 years ago. He's been fishing with his friend, who was born in Newfoundland but found love in Gimli when he was stationed here when he was much younger, for over 25 years. Great bunch of guys! Harvey even taught me how to fillet a pickeral. I changed the photographs into black and white to give them a more timeless look. To see more shots of fishermen, go to <a href="http://www.merlinbraunphotography.com/p174880805">Fishermen</a>. Loons and landscapes can be found on my <a href="www.merlinbraunphotography.com">website</a> as well. </div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhTs6RY_b0XjqGFiKAfFts-C9jbjJL7OYkYWfjczqfSFSHJkXxi_myVbBbRFXUQU_BGc0zpl_6frRfgqsrcPrm4tTcXCsfYbNzaWkx8xEQ6NeebLXz6M1qxVPFvbnjaHB1XotAKzwsZQ/s1600/DSC_8646.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhTs6RY_b0XjqGFiKAfFts-C9jbjJL7OYkYWfjczqfSFSHJkXxi_myVbBbRFXUQU_BGc0zpl_6frRfgqsrcPrm4tTcXCsfYbNzaWkx8xEQ6NeebLXz6M1qxVPFvbnjaHB1XotAKzwsZQ/s320/DSC_8646.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532858463960885570" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga907u9IM-5yfiTL6nZah2DpHqpQmvwC_DqFFB7JgpYbnuZ4OikCTCqKO6d0Fphm-Lhaq5I6s-LoKmqnN8DCoVdnOmKhh5YzCIXOdKAHFuwzIlTcvsQwXgXas98etHPH0SGOj1tWWOZVY/s1600/DSC_8809.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga907u9IM-5yfiTL6nZah2DpHqpQmvwC_DqFFB7JgpYbnuZ4OikCTCqKO6d0Fphm-Lhaq5I6s-LoKmqnN8DCoVdnOmKhh5YzCIXOdKAHFuwzIlTcvsQwXgXas98etHPH0SGOj1tWWOZVY/s320/DSC_8809.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532858473811015138" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChY9cFUwK-5yFdFcn-Wz5Efeno-mMgIqj5AVstxI_SZHCQeSLuF_GyKK085sh0Qvp8I6cfX_aLJK4BNnlbJZ6xgE8g2onx3RkllQ8gb0SpxxOjPI4nAPykSzGXaAT2th6y2iiWu6vVk8/s1600/DSC_8413.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 189px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChY9cFUwK-5yFdFcn-Wz5Efeno-mMgIqj5AVstxI_SZHCQeSLuF_GyKK085sh0Qvp8I6cfX_aLJK4BNnlbJZ6xgE8g2onx3RkllQ8gb0SpxxOjPI4nAPykSzGXaAT2th6y2iiWu6vVk8/s320/DSC_8413.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532858457420129474" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYGI8dkQtaK3u63ZaRPd5y1jwSva0XKzvGXf6x_6Q9qq12ndo98kB8zClePcQSxE1z-__b-_-oic-1ZAHyiK495VuFw64sP_xjoH2Q76hecoO6OOSnsXa_IJIwrRURhjW8frViF9xYNE/s1600/DSC_7959.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYGI8dkQtaK3u63ZaRPd5y1jwSva0XKzvGXf6x_6Q9qq12ndo98kB8zClePcQSxE1z-__b-_-oic-1ZAHyiK495VuFw64sP_xjoH2Q76hecoO6OOSnsXa_IJIwrRURhjW8frViF9xYNE/s320/DSC_7959.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532858449979154322" /></a><br /></div>Merlin Braunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17171221261797374893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206550310457322478.post-80587606843333173932010-10-06T17:23:00.001-07:002010-10-06T17:32:36.611-07:00Packing up the cabin<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBq62V8PpdTnDrQALpQ1QxTFKEq-BuUjbCZ1YPX1Fs7sUmF75IH3iUZOAwxoewjF7xUGKR3B9o09YWEFZl1dC5szi-mhILFaNQ6S-nnm0eOrXSMUlS0iHRomfDN94y_h46wjAHbB7GNKI/s320/DSC_7498.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525094836190925074" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqtq3B-0lUeTbKaqqaIYkErw_V4khK0Fb7AylO1qX-AqJnlczBQoTK3ZjMrdHPvwqKKZqmU9kgGdJaf3ff7YWAwOG2VpLGoRyiAy_mdwbrTUEm4Dp_LLUoNHSIeV86q749PGJjJjAfQc/s320/DSC_7629.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525094832046521954" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrQ87VmfblyaPbmPj1BTCvn6D7lniJpFFBXQ5q3mw9vpH6Ar3yhx1T8EmBpbVe47pmIMBl6m0wwN7RTezjIrbVpkyfesk80kgork8ITm1e_Si30UgLfl-AKbJ76sE70LEePBOGyKIxsU/s320/DSC_7582.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525094826671660578" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR7L1LlyQriAGg_VgXoMxamEO7iJQcb9anfkBZ8_rkPVPZdOwkH-Gw1zzcinGLFDczW4yi_xcn4DSW0UTqxwXvv9onrS4aaRlbrfVGBwnpDzJcrp8ri-vYD3PtKuDJg9Ii4e8rmFkiMWk/s1600/DSC_7600.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR7L1LlyQriAGg_VgXoMxamEO7iJQcb9anfkBZ8_rkPVPZdOwkH-Gw1zzcinGLFDczW4yi_xcn4DSW0UTqxwXvv9onrS4aaRlbrfVGBwnpDzJcrp8ri-vYD3PtKuDJg9Ii4e8rmFkiMWk/s320/DSC_7600.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525094840630594482" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv_GKuhpaMjKTyanZgYJETKw44Ne19ezz9nOjEEJZnam53TD0tQVwUjcDPTILGgX97gviGFHLx4BobWfv0b_4L14n73ptIPPVBpLYQhZVxRag5O7da4DmuTTKoMc2ELErUtlBVkxth3uI/s1600/DSC_7558.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv_GKuhpaMjKTyanZgYJETKw44Ne19ezz9nOjEEJZnam53TD0tQVwUjcDPTILGgX97gviGFHLx4BobWfv0b_4L14n73ptIPPVBpLYQhZVxRag5O7da4DmuTTKoMc2ELErUtlBVkxth3uI/s320/DSC_7558.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525094817502586882" /></a><br />Well, the cabin season is officially over. Spent the last weekend doing all the mundane but necessary things to kiss the cabin good-bye til next May. My father lives at the cabin for 6 months of the year but our portion of the cabin still needs to be winterized and closed. <div><br /></div><div>My father is restoring a 56 Thunderbird and had tried to get a welder out for numerous months prior to convincing my our friend Warren to help us out. So while we dragged boats out of the water, disconnected docks, winterized motors etc. Warren spent all his time trying to weld a new bottom onto the old top of the T-bird.<br /><div><br /></div><div>One of my favorite places to go is a bog about 2km from our cabin. It was created by a beaver dam and is a wrotting kind of place. It also is a fascinating place to catch interesting light, fog, and lots of dead stuff. I always go out there to capture something different. </div></div>Merlin Braunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17171221261797374893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206550310457322478.post-33074573900916901232010-09-08T18:05:00.000-07:002010-09-08T18:12:13.370-07:00Hawaii or bust<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAgRnMJHXwj3cfz_Y_WrQn4fULmh6O5EnerKdvv3zSKrBCogZbbd4AMikqTimAMS3crVKicjRXoOoOpXwdHM6OvM8JDzI9aau4Vu3j8ltVudx_cXCtTxtaASibAAtrBGefYeNZb3_Qq8E/s1600/DSC_6757.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAgRnMJHXwj3cfz_Y_WrQn4fULmh6O5EnerKdvv3zSKrBCogZbbd4AMikqTimAMS3crVKicjRXoOoOpXwdHM6OvM8JDzI9aau4Vu3j8ltVudx_cXCtTxtaASibAAtrBGefYeNZb3_Qq8E/s320/DSC_6757.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514714816424287138" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5K5o4E5orVD5j9BykQ2PPXnxTCP05cxNh4xKS_dB_ozRR7rp3vuXSXy6tNN4Y4w5I9qrK4_qmVVquTIuqE_7JLvQR09Kr8qfk-ZtpyWyoDSy5XK75C8phtNwi8vTmGLsfEul3wsbvvIg/s1600/DSC_6649.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5K5o4E5orVD5j9BykQ2PPXnxTCP05cxNh4xKS_dB_ozRR7rp3vuXSXy6tNN4Y4w5I9qrK4_qmVVquTIuqE_7JLvQR09Kr8qfk-ZtpyWyoDSy5XK75C8phtNwi8vTmGLsfEul3wsbvvIg/s320/DSC_6649.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514714811033318418" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwD9QZ8uZaZrW_9wbWxsUX4CpFBzqJt8uA4AvosDWd68qAwoc6mZ80QY1fS4ZNP-buPGkL2MJjNIig6fGwE0RNDIAudbwTR9FvIqYHD5fjjV0U_xvhsDmbzoXY-AouwmQLiOB43Mk4yo/s1600/DSC_6439.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwD9QZ8uZaZrW_9wbWxsUX4CpFBzqJt8uA4AvosDWd68qAwoc6mZ80QY1fS4ZNP-buPGkL2MJjNIig6fGwE0RNDIAudbwTR9FvIqYHD5fjjV0U_xvhsDmbzoXY-AouwmQLiOB43Mk4yo/s320/DSC_6439.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514714805045044338" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEXlLBlHbNuRzq114ETx-jR_GMJhGK2arZyYFHEsaFoL_GIMTuwF70GjD_j55oegiX_UkNVgBaMkbR2s5LUps1-_G974GLyl-VVv0INgdP0zr6LdWgo39YE_YjcbPlnQltqmPHLBmwu4/s1600/DSC_6175.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEXlLBlHbNuRzq114ETx-jR_GMJhGK2arZyYFHEsaFoL_GIMTuwF70GjD_j55oegiX_UkNVgBaMkbR2s5LUps1-_G974GLyl-VVv0INgdP0zr6LdWgo39YE_YjcbPlnQltqmPHLBmwu4/s320/DSC_6175.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514714795850905010" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA8BmeVWWZVOhVWa90cUORK-8g8cUoywzYIxeLp95n0YSX6aYc8mWFJ1r5kKVqUrvxErLVKQtphwFBtbkw_fhZ14uXforzz_QcDHzUF1GWeleQPMGrjBFpRNReJqy1VkE2lounaG4R8EM/s1600/DSC_6110.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA8BmeVWWZVOhVWa90cUORK-8g8cUoywzYIxeLp95n0YSX6aYc8mWFJ1r5kKVqUrvxErLVKQtphwFBtbkw_fhZ14uXforzz_QcDHzUF1GWeleQPMGrjBFpRNReJqy1VkE2lounaG4R8EM/s320/DSC_6110.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514714789499365362" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;">Okay, had to go back to work today. Something about paying for all the bills or something like that. Well, one of the crazy things we did this summer was take the family to Hawaii... yup in summer. It's not as crazy as you think... Weather there is the same all year, and we scored some crazy sale prices on tickets, so we went!<br /><br />Some highlights were learning how to surf (all of us no less), walking on a few weeks old lava, swimming with a pod of about 40 dolphins, and spitting out the enormous aftertaste of swallowing too much salt water while snorkelling. You can check out some shots by checking out my <a href="http://www.merlinbraunphotography.com/p145831642">webpage</a>.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: -webkit-xxx-large;"><br /></span></span></div>Merlin Braunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17171221261797374893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206550310457322478.post-35760674703123800152010-08-15T07:43:00.001-07:002010-08-15T07:46:58.770-07:00Gallery show in Kenora<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIBgNbnSSX5XbJRGWC45ljpo4HCBHwjLcyjaD2LtaQjRV8StxHxwIVf0JTA3IrVLSZ8F0BQ-bU-eyS-klTKcQSSjB19zrdHh2nsCiMkmuHsepvpe_Y-z8v-KYO-zI49-sAC2W8SC6_raY/s1600/DSC_4253.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIBgNbnSSX5XbJRGWC45ljpo4HCBHwjLcyjaD2LtaQjRV8StxHxwIVf0JTA3IrVLSZ8F0BQ-bU-eyS-klTKcQSSjB19zrdHh2nsCiMkmuHsepvpe_Y-z8v-KYO-zI49-sAC2W8SC6_raY/s320/DSC_4253.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505648126032751394" /></a><br />Well, I survived my first gallery show in Kenora! Three days of, well, standing around hawking my wares I suppose. I met a bunch of great people and finally got to see a lot of my work printed and up in one place. Like a lot of digital shooters, I had not printed hardly anything in years so I was pleasantly surprised how well the prints turned out. <div><br /></div><div>I now have stock, so have to consider where else to try and sell it; probably in Kenora again next year but who knows. Maybe I'll see you at a local Christmas craft show (beside the pickle jars painted as Santa Claus.... sheesh) (no offense to pickle jars painted as Saint Nick btw)</div>Merlin Braunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17171221261797374893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206550310457322478.post-56329167106147326202010-08-10T12:44:00.000-07:002010-08-10T12:57:28.429-07:00Grand Canyon rim to rim hike<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvorj51W9eJGB6GajpyBlREpDCAoRHBpEItcFnFQDUA9hYZa2tlHjcCAGqa2a_DOWgMVQNyPzNNSsdqNVi40sr9T1wjvPpoyREsmRttIXYI9cTZZz9aH-7tLeMhY-APz_PfZ2oKUkF7I/s1600/P1030037.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvorj51W9eJGB6GajpyBlREpDCAoRHBpEItcFnFQDUA9hYZa2tlHjcCAGqa2a_DOWgMVQNyPzNNSsdqNVi40sr9T1wjvPpoyREsmRttIXYI9cTZZz9aH-7tLeMhY-APz_PfZ2oKUkF7I/s320/P1030037.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503872518289591826" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEita6FhCk__71M_XfGAqfxYzeaJ7L6cxIfcHvLgMFfGB6yNwZdzka0p-CvoZYTu0OEJtQkwscBfnyDoHaX2aP6w1O-o30-mSGMlxC1OWcSpa1sB5uNlUATYks0OlCrRCkAUeb2Tp14Nknk/s1600/P1020987.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEita6FhCk__71M_XfGAqfxYzeaJ7L6cxIfcHvLgMFfGB6yNwZdzka0p-CvoZYTu0OEJtQkwscBfnyDoHaX2aP6w1O-o30-mSGMlxC1OWcSpa1sB5uNlUATYks0OlCrRCkAUeb2Tp14Nknk/s320/P1020987.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503872510577014930" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_EJXxXEPL6glItNOahdh9P7btUe_yhyl4jn5cK4-i2P84bBVL2AgeG2FdSeLIP8bpetZ9pDnyuozUqmghTVePovZUIhKGUq2JR6DNKpR0vRpM_YEzEm9z6xJ8m2FjBP4BAGedj-szCe8/s1600/DSC_2457.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_EJXxXEPL6glItNOahdh9P7btUe_yhyl4jn5cK4-i2P84bBVL2AgeG2FdSeLIP8bpetZ9pDnyuozUqmghTVePovZUIhKGUq2JR6DNKpR0vRpM_YEzEm9z6xJ8m2FjBP4BAGedj-szCe8/s320/DSC_2457.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503872501232576242" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggmMZHPzcHvADv3dZilvbugfIpAJT0SoIv12oTxLUWa-uxbaDdQElw7C6d3phK_sEnVgSMBMJ8ASiKXXkaIEyJkvY53E0JA7otmlJUOSJfTyV-r8tSJdWb54sHA0mpHe4flXI-S32r__k/s1600/DSC_1772.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggmMZHPzcHvADv3dZilvbugfIpAJT0SoIv12oTxLUWa-uxbaDdQElw7C6d3phK_sEnVgSMBMJ8ASiKXXkaIEyJkvY53E0JA7otmlJUOSJfTyV-r8tSJdWb54sHA0mpHe4flXI-S32r__k/s320/DSC_1772.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503872494291138242" /></a><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh31l3X9V3mB-Ox70uRatLc4M1QwvDllRIR_TmRHZNrqW_5gC3xXsmdnCI2nQ7RwBWXVqdoo7TKVHDthOx0bRQmdkH_aaoI9MaYGk6cAzJb_AJCuJuSwrzgl0TkONymXgoZIxSpJB368Y/s320/DSC_2102.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503871729534964754" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Some of you know that Sheri and I were away in mid July doing a Grand Canyon north rim to south rim hike. Twenty-four miles; elevation change of 6000ft, starting at 8000ft! We've been to the Grand Canyon a few times previous, and had chatted about doing this hike, but hadn't been "that" serious about it! Well, me and my big mouth, suggested we do it this year when the kids were in camp. After an awkward pause, Sheri started to warm up to the idea. <div><br /></div><div>So on July 12th we flew to Phoenix AZ, zipped our way to Canyon de Chelly for a few days and then headed for the Grand Canyon. We needed to leave our car on the south side, take a 5 hr shuttle to the north side and stay overnight. At 5am the next morning, we were on our way. Awesome experience and without hiking poles, a knee crusher. We made it to Phantom ranch by the Colorado river around 2pm and had the best cup of lemonade ever! The temperature was a cool 108 f.</div><div><br /></div><div>After a a hearty stew supper, an informative interpretive program about the California Condor (seriously, really interesting!) and a black light hunt for scorpions, we dropped into bed. Seemingly minutes later (4am to be exact) we were on our way again, trying to avoid the 110 degree heat in the middle of the day. After meeting waaaay more hikers than the other day, and mule trains taking supplies and people up and down the south rim, we finally made it back out on the south rim by around 1pm. </div><div><br /></div><div>What a great experience! Pretty tiring, but if you plan ahead with the proper gear, water, hiking poles, etc. it is totally manageable. To see a variety of shots from our trip visit my <a href="http://www.merlinbraunphotography.com/">webpage</a> at www.merlinbraunphotography.com </div>Merlin Braunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17171221261797374893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206550310457322478.post-56890074265227001962010-07-10T10:09:00.000-07:002010-07-10T12:01:26.885-07:00Found one young loon<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrX9xDz5a0zX026oT8IQx8anFMr-Rjd9QNyyo9DGrYd4eTx5EmQWF_mcnbkug5bvvCEun135MvW9kznVleaOnkbJ4BFi78Q_BtP1BHE13JqkB1BJhcn6o9CSaCuFLxqwOdBhJ1xK5hkFg/s320/DSC_1358.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492329427952385202" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5FBFEdgy8TY4Bi4ffp4y5vE3wewvq7MJSJ5iaKXuEerMun9lKxgXpRv-Bww8kfPnXfycivA3OgYZhTqlwh0bJp_LbuZ3PzO0nBnWduAzeGJOH-hRF0ViFNCD6MCxmr_ez1Ojr2nz31s/s320/DSC_1367.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492329432482321218" /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj85GP9AV0rgTeGvTKVbMrH5dztqaTR7FbrYNTymPEdjBl6Efw6malRgQYt4CZUTiy0ecDrM7N8hiVFpL14cEUfLtYnCI5W3rUUOjy-ui1EtTCLmAH0Cfx9nwjtvb6lEiOHBi3yQKWlL4/s320/DSC_1391.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492329437675216370" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Baby loons are rare around Lake of the Woods. While chatting with the fellow who made the loon nesting platform, he informed me that while on the M.S. Kenora, he had spotted many loon pairs on the cruise, but not one baby. However, he had spotted one pair with a youngin' by Mud Portage (a few kilometers from our cottage) That evening I boated over to the area and found the loon family. The baby was no longer a baby, but was large enough to swim under water for a remarkable amount of time by itself. What I learned that evening is that my encounter with the loons last summer was indeed a rare event. This new family was not at all interested in allowing me to get anywhere near to them. They cried warnings and performed the " scoot across the water to lure me away from their young" trick. It was pretty disappointing but I managed to get a couple of shots in time I was floating around in the bay. <div><br /></div><div>As a side, I'm going to have a photo exhibition based on my loon photos (and other landscape shots) at the Sunset Gallery in Kenora from August 12-14th. If you're in the area come and pop by! </div>Merlin Braunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17171221261797374893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206550310457322478.post-40654764498340724602010-07-08T09:34:00.000-07:002010-07-10T12:01:47.766-07:00Of lost nests and crashed boats<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_1fpn8gVNhfnfxO9_HGWL5oEI_WRnGnfOMm8ZCpF7m-r0WQSse5pToiHaeXSeYd-f-jOnHaftfN1p_hQEmxUXRZMCTP815ySG4jsNTt0q68ITH_VA6Oos6-HN2GjdqVJ7DBZJJoMLT4Y/s1600/Scan+1.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_1fpn8gVNhfnfxO9_HGWL5oEI_WRnGnfOMm8ZCpF7m-r0WQSse5pToiHaeXSeYd-f-jOnHaftfN1p_hQEmxUXRZMCTP815ySG4jsNTt0q68ITH_VA6Oos6-HN2GjdqVJ7DBZJJoMLT4Y/s320/Scan+1.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492324998686910466" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HrIkQsfQ7ZCF5kNl-NPcJLVgdfIVFCR1NTmvfjJN5_AHxxgO4chnsFLeyE-61rNlHNH08NdTeZpo61NQhVVfLTxuv58-HrR2UAruULQn7b-Xy0PSchVuzz2tckXQ5pas55qQdge01P8/s1600/Scan+2.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 216px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HrIkQsfQ7ZCF5kNl-NPcJLVgdfIVFCR1NTmvfjJN5_AHxxgO4chnsFLeyE-61rNlHNH08NdTeZpo61NQhVVfLTxuv58-HrR2UAruULQn7b-Xy0PSchVuzz2tckXQ5pas55qQdge01P8/s320/Scan+2.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492324358338097282" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKLOM1K-hiCvadbN_vw64pkjkeTjNA04zBZZ1PNZnVsv7a7E9jLV9Ebf92yoDWCmgLs2PoQ6qfMIsVMpRKJAFSazxz1CymaH83U6DOZ7Qi91ZTcQrLCw2nqawQmkyrjkFnF9cNY8jwqg/s1600/Scan+1.jpeg"><br /></a></div>Update: not good. Sheesh. What does it take to get baby loons around here? The "man-made" platform 2nd laying was looking good til middle of last week. Now, the nest, with one egg, has been abandoned. On a positive note, I met with the crafter of the loon platform and he's planning on making a few more for our area next year.<div><br /></div><div>I was also given a couple of pictures of the motorboat that had crashed just meters beyond the loon platform about a month ago. The loon (as you can see in the shot) was still on the nest with the boat crashed on the beach, just behind her. When the salvage team arrived a few days later, the ruckus caused by their work caused the mother loon to abandon the nest. So, if you're keeping track, the loon platform has had two sittings; both failures. The natural nest by our cottage has also had two failed sittings. There is an itty bitty chance they can lay a 3rd time but its getting pretty late for that. </div>Merlin Braunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17171221261797374893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206550310457322478.post-75625717466777673442010-07-02T20:32:00.000-07:002010-07-02T20:46:14.167-07:00July 2nd; I think I'm going loony again!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhlPoKBvMJGBpBK2ckB7z2TZhEyITOjNrLHbeDH5TLCrnZ1IHj1Mc0WsmUx1q6eSzVJidoD7YRnRhD6iFk_EzNX6MurjrX0s5DfAA2xFNpU6tCA95SrWbYzyd3eOSnG8tO-x_MrQ98pv4/s1600/DSC_1114.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhlPoKBvMJGBpBK2ckB7z2TZhEyITOjNrLHbeDH5TLCrnZ1IHj1Mc0WsmUx1q6eSzVJidoD7YRnRhD6iFk_EzNX6MurjrX0s5DfAA2xFNpU6tCA95SrWbYzyd3eOSnG8tO-x_MrQ98pv4/s320/DSC_1114.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489520770839526978" /></a><br />Today Sheri and Matt returned from a Sea-doo run on the lake and had great news! The nesting "man-made" platform that was abandoned because of a nasty boat crash on the island where it was situated, is now hosting another loon. Later today, we travelled to the site and sure enough, one very content loon on the floating platform, nesting! Now we didn't see any eggs as the loon didn't leave the nest while were watching, but the mate was nearby, in the water eating away. Looking very promising. Unfortunately, we have no idea when the 2nd laying would have occurred, so who knows if we'll be around for the birth(s). Anyway, it looks like we might be back in the loon business again!Merlin Braunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17171221261797374893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206550310457322478.post-46552968126434943062010-06-18T17:11:00.000-07:002010-06-18T17:15:16.929-07:00June 18: Bad news again...Gee, that lousy weather, rising lake, storms etc. are dooming our loon nesting prospects. The neighbor reports the loons, after a particularly rough and stormy night, are no longer on the nest. She's going to to check the nest out sometime soon (when it stops raining) to see if the egg is still there, but this doesn't look promising. I've never heard of a 3rd laying, so I'm betting this is the end of the run for this year. Sadly, since they didn't have success at this location, they likely won't return to the same spot to try again nest year. We're not out to the lake for another 10 days, so we'll see.Merlin Braunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17171221261797374893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206550310457322478.post-21041218787641224032010-06-13T16:28:00.000-07:002010-06-13T17:03:34.289-07:00June 13: Great news! (a little tempered)<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwqi4hSV2eguAuRc9vGNfNH4OgKUpsiDVZGGJBIzZIn8xD6_6nHQ9i330XSz7Eoklcquc5l7OVK_mNPyUlzxz1X-3kQdcjU9QlJzhKOQKZaLdF8_DYmIcpuHOZJSfUspwbWITmzP_m5H8/s320/DSC_0504.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482411733463158530" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>The great news is that there is a new nest in our bay with a loon sitting on one egg! Apparently the bird(s) have been nesting since last Wed or so and we launched our trusty paddleboat and slowly drifted into the nests' general area. After much patience, the loon got up to check what the heck was underneath her (or him, they take turns) and lo and behold, one egg!<div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpv5LpV2ulMbbWOcA2sCAnGzrdlHOcHyc_DZHFpSlR4DuLshP-umkJwXWgIX7MyxyVRAtrnWjASIMRqfl26mbQRXFbw3v1Ck4KgWqSfBX1SZJLAQ8M3MacU8_6G5yshmq69bsjOjYeHyE/s320/DSC_0490.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482411737027808098" /></div><div>The problem is that with all the rain in the area, is that the potential for the lake to rise is significant. The nest, as with all loon nests, is very close to the water and it would take perhaps another 3 or 4 inches and this nest would be swamped as well. The 27 (ish) days to incubate is a very long time considering the fluctuating water levels Lake of the Woods can experience.... we can only hope. </div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfmw6VfmPnLj5V-9oSPb8gzmk3brZu0tr6CqU-ZDBIkJsVz_lmoiox-WZKgGkMXVZEudcO3hobZiPSjJ_njVGYSbqm85ZzhtnLIKo5ahN1uMmch8AGfOh8xkbJQeVwTYGAh7dI8RME-o/s320/DSC_0422.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482411729739277602" /></div><div>On a sad note, we checked out the "man-made" nesting platform and the last remaining egg is gone and the nest is almost disintegrated beyond recognition (not from an alien ray beam either) The theory that the crashed boat in their vicinity scared them off is my best theory to date. </div><div><br /></div><div>To see more of my photos of loons and other stuff, check out <a href="http://www.loonphotography.com">http://www.loonphotography.com</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Lastly, I might be putting on a gallery show in Kenora at the Sunset Gallery. I would have a weekend where I could show and sell my photos of my loons and landscapes. Anyone interested in a drive out to Kenora??</div>Merlin Braunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17171221261797374893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206550310457322478.post-80699558806335498142010-06-10T15:04:00.000-07:002010-06-10T15:06:39.578-07:00June 11: maybe, maybe not...Neighbour has been keeping an eye on the nesting site. Apparently the loons have been on and off the grass throughout the last few days. She is going to get closer and see if she can spot any eggs. If there is an egg(s) then the hatching would come the week of July 4th. (if all goes well; no high water, no sneaky eagle snacking etc.)Merlin Braunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17171221261797374893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206550310457322478.post-38553837218085758912010-06-07T17:02:00.000-07:002010-06-07T15:51:24.503-07:00June 6: loss and hope<div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOgwaoUNL5ADOQVtiNTEf7hV3XzUfyp2w5Lxo8a0NqmYpj6SYTZU_cPtpSAjbfjQj8tMKCp7rlclfrn_Saw5RhvWEf7JTZncLeGEk8bbB6t1BWLd1xxtrQOnfte3nv8X-xNSj6oISKqmU/s320/DSC_0010.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480156363003906914" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Arriving Saturday, we began to search for loon pairs and boated out to check out the floating nest that we had found two weeks past. Oddly, there was no loon on the floating nest and only one egg. We checked a few more times throughout the day but no loon came to sit. I guess either one egg hatched and one didn't or something else happened to scare away the loons and one egg has been eaten. Regardless, there was nothing to see there. (edit. Sunday. We heard there had been a high speed boat crash involving alcohol and fog, onto the tiny island and right beside the loon nest the week before. Chances are the crash and subsequent rescue and cleanup probably scared the loons away. How sad that our poor decisions always affect someone or something else)<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl3u__PbRLr_I89Vz_zYm0zAt-ESYV7Zow3SD8yHTxaWRlSOzpq68nq2-Ei9QnQV3LbogCxM2hZJwt441BRYlH5rmt6DvFSW2CpzPlOq15j9N28SpC0pMN3KcRLbQ2Qx4pW3zbIRCTCig/s320/DSC_0049.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480156371491340162" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><div>On Sunday we started noticing that "our" pair of loons seemed to be hanging around the 1st nesting area in our bay. As the day progressed, the two even took to climbing on the land for short periods of time. The birds also spent a great deal of time during the day being together (nudge nudge wink wink) </div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNAGLtJqQZwjRWRFjasTpZdxD6IrOJ8a9Nv_blCHYiy2cq0Bbi8K0lMFx54Gji_t0n6XM2krgIjqFTx23Ls6slL_bwqi2TsfSsvTvnEXHWKxpd8GjudNgHH_UBaPXVyKSsGakGaf2eTsA/s320/DSC_0164.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480153377075665378" /></div><div>(mature material alert, ha ha ) At one point one of the birds climbed onto the shore (close to the 1st nest) and the other climbed up behind, then on top of the first bird and then over and onto the grass in front of the first bird! Well, this did look suspiciously romantic and I figured we should run back to the cabin and grab some tea candles and some Barry Manillo music... </div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifCDYmpl4b5CSm4ihNGtEEAMsGNno5I5UYhVEJNMaVKSON3IVfV079Txk6ScXzhr1Ipt_9pSOKoHWT7-CUgR5M4xGOdDjhz43VMTKytgCOwHNbSU26YU8rsqKKof43ASzyFe_SzF4ebKI/s320/DSC_0178.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480153399091722898" /></div><div>Well, I'm no expert, but this looks mighty suspicious and after doing a big more research it definitely looks like they're trying to do a second laying. I'll have the neighbor keep a close lookout and keep my blog as current as possible. We are planning on going out next weekend. If they nest again and the gestation period is around 26-31 days, then I'll be on summer vacation and will hopefully be at the lake to photograph some more baby loons... yeee haaa!</div><div><br /></div></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}">To see more of my photos of loons and other stuff, check out </a><a href="http://www.loonphotography.com/">http://www.loonphotography.com</a></div><div><br /><br /></div>Merlin Braunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17171221261797374893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206550310457322478.post-43668658245341118372010-05-28T16:04:00.000-07:002010-05-29T06:40:36.382-07:00May 28th: loons have abandoned nest and the bayOur neighbor just reported that the loons are no longer in the bay and the nest has been abandoned. She also reports the eggs are gone (probably eaten) This is very sad. We continue to hope for a 2nd nesting. Will be back at the lake next weekend and will check on the floating nest pair. Hopefully with all the storms we're getting, that nest will survive. Check out my webpage for for loon photos. <a href="http://www.loonphotography.com">www.loonphotography.com</a>Merlin Braunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17171221261797374893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206550310457322478.post-24907950528797452122010-05-27T14:40:00.000-07:002010-05-29T06:41:10.962-07:00May 25th: Nest is swamped...Neighbour at the lake called with bad news. The water was rising and the nest looked like it was getting swamped. The loons hadn't been on the nest in quite some time so she went to have a closer look at the nest and sure enough, the nest and eggs were wet. The loons did not return to nest the rest of the day, so it looks like this 1st laying is a failure. We can only hope that they will lay again this spring. With all the rain expected this weekend the lake will probably rise quite a bit, so hopefully they will hold off building another nest til after the lake level stabilizes. <div><br /></div><div>Hopefully the floating loon nest will still be fine; will check on it next weekend. Check out my webpage for for loon photos. <a href="http://www.loonphotography.com/">www.loonphotography.com</a></div>Merlin Braunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17171221261797374893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206550310457322478.post-48775751328435020982010-05-22T16:26:00.000-07:002010-05-29T06:41:22.977-07:00May 22nd: Loons still on nest<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbXV8DGXR6y_XwxT8MJ8kBs_u30J8dYM7uIjRnQq8YT7FwFIgB7hRgd0WdpUwvKuREbSg1nc9ZO9CRlTvfJ6MIuUM-4CQs6He0c72A1PRU4hsHXl1jlRpECliyHD0hJn4Ja99n301WH4Q/s1600/DSC_9808.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbXV8DGXR6y_XwxT8MJ8kBs_u30J8dYM7uIjRnQq8YT7FwFIgB7hRgd0WdpUwvKuREbSg1nc9ZO9CRlTvfJ6MIuUM-4CQs6He0c72A1PRU4hsHXl1jlRpECliyHD0hJn4Ja99n301WH4Q/s320/DSC_9808.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476133733690413906" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Well, we're back at the lake and the loons are still tending the nest. We're quite concerned, however, that the water is starting to rise and loons build their nests very very close to the shore. The reason behind the proximity to water is that loons have a very difficult time manoeuvring on land. Their legs are positioned so very far back in their body that they find it hard to walk. The position of the legs, however, allows them to swim like fish! They can go down to 200 ft if required to get food. The lake is very low this year; probably 4 ft below "normal". The egg(s) need to be kept dry at least two more weeks to hatch. (since I saw the egg 2 weeks ago, another 2 weeks would be the maximum time required to gestate). This weekend, it seems the loon(s) are spending much longer periods of time on the nest in comparison to two weeks previous.</span><p></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia; min-height: 19.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">We also encountered a manufactured loon nest in Clear Water Bay where another set of loons have set up shop. There is a nest and two eggs in it. The "man-made" nest is a floating nest which will rise with the lake. The chance of survival of this floating nest is much higher than the permanent one near our cottage. We were able to find this manufactured loon nesting platform because the fellow who made it had phoned me about my loon pictures in the Lake of the Woods Owners Association photo essay I wrote/photographed in the May issue. Check out my webpage for for loon photos. <a href="http://www.loonphotography.com/">www.loonphotography.com</a></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 16.0px Georgia"><br /></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5jqGnKFf2yHWFaI03azz_H4IxKNKs9eCsWxE2Xhr7sy8hNk6ovdXUhR2K3Tk3ZocFJAukhSEY4xDrIgVOasFeAlgNUgfmSit2FGWzOi3KosWnNFX7KVkiXGxJ7pu1eD7LmoRdENn2PHE/s1600/DSC_9808.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></a><div><div><br /></div></div>Merlin Braunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17171221261797374893noreply@blogger.com0