I live in northern Ontario Canada and live in prime loon country. Unfortunately we have not even seen nor heard a loon in 2024. We are devastated to say the least.
@johnwelchphotography13 сағат бұрын
Wow, that is surprising to that you had no loons this year. That is definitely prime country. We have had them on pretty much every suitable lake and pond in the northern half of my state (New Hampshire).
@kerryseabrook2438Күн бұрын
Heart-felt condolences. Thank you for sharing the beauty of my favorite bird, and it's cry - my favorite sound on earth.
@johnwelchphotography14 сағат бұрын
Thank you for the condolences, I appreciate that. Yes, their call certainly is my favorite too. Thanks for watching and commenting.
@johnwelchphotographyАй бұрын
A quick clarification on the thing "few humans have seen/ I have never seen before" (spoiler alert)↓↓↓↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ Once loon chicks leave the nest, they do not go back in. So being able to see them leave the nest is quite rare since you have to be there at that exact moment. That is why I was so lucky to witness this in person! I don't think I made it clear how rare it was in the video itself, sorry! It was very windy and the footage was shaky, but I was happy to capture that moment on camera.
@lohikarhu734Ай бұрын
Too bad that the music on the intro is over the loon warbling... Always so nice, brings my childhood memories back, to hear loon calls...
@johnwelchphotographyАй бұрын
Thanks for that input. You probably bring up a sentiment shared by others who would prefer the loon calls without music. Something to consider for next for me for sure. Thanks!
@nationalparksprincess3216Ай бұрын
It's sad to see egss lost to critters. It was nice the pair recognized you. I am so glad you found a pair with a chick. It's so nice that another pair has found success! 😊
@johnwelchphotographyАй бұрын
Thanks for checking it out! Yes, I am happy I finally found some chicks and I feel bad for the pairs that failed. But that is the way things go out there in nature, definitely setbacks.
@wildbillgreenАй бұрын
Fantastic footage!!!
@johnwelchphotographyАй бұрын
Thanks Bill, I am working on the stabilization on the water.
@harrisstein6138Ай бұрын
Glad to see at least a few pairs were successful this year for you. Eagerly awaiting the next episode to see how they fared! The pair I followed this summer had two chicks and at least one made it to full adult size, which I saw the last time I was there, in late summer.
@johnwelchphotographyАй бұрын
Hey Harris, glad you got to follow a pair this year. Maybe the other chick flew off? Thanks for watching and the support!
@suetaylor4018Ай бұрын
BEAUTIFUL, JOHN , AS ALWAYS ❤
@suetaylor4018Ай бұрын
So HAPPY you had a great season!
@suetaylor4018Ай бұрын
PRECIOUS little Chicks ❤
@suetaylor4018Ай бұрын
Camp is going to be closed next week.
@suetaylor4018Ай бұрын
A similar situation happened at the MAINE CAMP, this year. Not with nests, but just not that many. I Couldn't go this season...🙁
@johnwelchphotographyАй бұрын
Sorry you couldn't make it out to them and that it was slow in your usual spot. It seemed like there were a lot more nest failures than usual across the region just based on talking to some people. But I had some interesting stuff happen as the season progressed. Thanks for your support again!
@suetaylor4018Ай бұрын
YAY! GOOD TO SEE YOU!
@jessemiller4844Ай бұрын
Loons do not evolve from penguins. They are two different species and God made them both. Nice footage though.
@oppof5-jr1jf2 ай бұрын
👍👍👍😊
@drchungj3 ай бұрын
I have news: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3vQZXl-j9KInNE
@brianc16513 ай бұрын
Thank you so much!
@johnwriter2673 ай бұрын
I made several fishing trips to Northern Wisconsin with my Dad in the 1950's. I spent many hours on the lakes fishing... The loons were always magical. They kept me company. They're the first thing I think of when I think of the North woods and those times with my Dad... I live in Georgia now with my Grand Kids. Far from the loons. But, I've shown them your video and others about the loons. I've told them about how special they are. Hopefully, someday they'll get to relive my experiences...
@johnwelchphotography3 ай бұрын
Thanks John for sharing your experiences. You are right, the loons definitely convey the sense of the North Woods where I get to live. I am glad my video got to bring you back to memories with your Dad and that they are something you shared with your grandkids.
@gijsvermeulen52483 ай бұрын
Hello, a nice little documentary of the Loons in their natural environment!! Greetings Gijs
@johnwelchphotography3 ай бұрын
Thank you Gijs, glad you enjoyed!
@joemcbride34263 ай бұрын
Beautiful, thank you
@johnwelchphotography3 ай бұрын
Thank you for watching it and taking the time to comment!
@mituldesai6664 ай бұрын
Very useful Video...
@johnwelchphotography3 ай бұрын
Thank you for watching and glad it had value!
@vuxdinh4 ай бұрын
Great video. Informative and beautiful. Those snowy owls are truly majestic.
@johnwelchphotography4 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching and for the kind comment! I agree they are beautiful!
@joegophotos14 ай бұрын
Great stuff! So calm out there! Great ending with the rainbow. Awesome storytelling ! Keep up the great work. I’m going to check out the others.
@johnwelchphotography4 ай бұрын
Thanks so much for checking it out Joe. I appreciate the support!
@KGElf4 ай бұрын
From what I know about loons, they do their iconic lengthy wail when they have lost track of another loons position and want to find them again. In contrast to that, the short hoots are basically just quick back-and-forth updates when changing position. It's unwise to ascribe human behaviour and motivation to animals, but it does feel like the loon at the end was engaging you. It gave you localisation hoots - basically "I'm over here, let me know where you are going". While that might sound sad, maybe a better interpretation would be: "Keep in touch" - and perhaps even "I'll miss you". Your video was beautiful and I am very thankful to have watched it. Truly touching.
@johnwelchphotography4 ай бұрын
This is an excellent comment and breakdown of the meaning of the loon calls, of which they have 4. You are right about the hoots, by far the most relaxed of them all. Yes, for all of the time I spent with them, that loon at the end did seem to be engaging with me. So who know what it had in mind (again not that loons have the same kind of "mind" we have. Thanks again for watching and for such a thoughtful comment!
@ztech65964 ай бұрын
Extreme levels of cuteness.
@johnwelchphotography4 ай бұрын
I agree! I had to go back this year and photograph them again because of that.
@Rubydrawz4 ай бұрын
As hokey as this sounds, it may have been your mom saying goodbye❤
@johnwelchphotography4 ай бұрын
Yeah it really was something with that chick swimming up to me with the sounds like that. I mean they were comfortable with me but usually they would just be interested in eating or preening and stuff like that. Mysterious to say the least.
@nonamestay4 ай бұрын
Plover should have to pay money 4 the beach like the rest of us 😂 and stop stepping on there children with there little stick legs
@johnwelchphotography4 ай бұрын
lol! Yes and they get free parking too.
@AlaskaBrian4 ай бұрын
I love that loon call. It has to be one of the most incredible animal sounds. Thanks for the vid!
@johnwelchphotography4 ай бұрын
Thanks Brian, I agree about the loon calls. They actually have a few different ones that mean different things. I appreciate you checking out the video!
@naturewithgabe4 ай бұрын
Wonderful video. Great footage, information, and conservation messaging!
@johnwelchphotography4 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching and the feedback, I appreciate it! Those were the goals!
@timmasterson6255 ай бұрын
John glad you’re back! Being out in Nature sure helps balance a life. You’ve been a blessing to us all.
@johnwelchphotography5 ай бұрын
Thank you Tim. Yes, that is a great point. Spending time in nature has always been a constant way to provide balance in all the phases of my life.
@gypsinyne13785 ай бұрын
❤❤❤❤
@jeffmanser28835 ай бұрын
its hard to listen to you catering to the haters..... either you shoot wildlife or you explain and justify yourself to the Karens of the world
@johnwelchphotography5 ай бұрын
Thanks for the feedback Jeff. Interesting to hear that's how some of the segments came across. In my head the purpose of those parts is to address a wide audience, many of whom may not be familiar with the practice of wildlife photography and give a sense of the etiquette and in my state, the law (there are fines and imprisonment for 'loon harassment'), regarding approaching loons. I have witnessed some people with cell phones paddle right up to loons with chicks and freak them out, so I guess that is more what I had in mind rather than online haters. I am shooting at 800mm effective focal length, and sometimes cropping, so I just didn't want to give the expectation that you can get so close as to fill the frame on a cell phone. But thank you again for the constructive feedback.
@capturingnaturewithsandip5 ай бұрын
Awesome so lovely video. Nature scenery is amazing & thanks for sharing.
@johnwelchphotography5 ай бұрын
Thank you so much Sandip! It is pretty out there
@WanderingSoleTV5 ай бұрын
My mother was older when she had me - and I'm no longer so young myself - yet I am still fascinated, and sad, about how she used to speak of flocks of birds flying over their farm which darkened the sky. The speed of these types of declines is scary.
@johnwelchphotography5 ай бұрын
Wow, thanks for sharing that anecdote. Yes, we aren't so far removed from those times. Nor immune from future instances.
@naturallyadriftphotoadvent1235 ай бұрын
Cool, lots of good information! We had fun watching a pair in fog a week or two ago. I should suggest your channel to my husband, he loves loons!
@johnwelchphotography5 ай бұрын
That's great you got to see some loons. The fog is one of my favorite conditions for them. Please suggest away!
@leahnichol66655 ай бұрын
Beautiful! Thank you.
@johnwelchphotography5 ай бұрын
Thank you! I appreciate you watching and your support!
@RoofAndAMeal4UsAll5 ай бұрын
Loons of course, travel to many water bodies local to them and cheat on each other with other loons all of the time.
@suetaylor40185 ай бұрын
😊 Thank you!
@matthewgehly5 ай бұрын
I really enjoyed your narrative and reflections on life. Fantastic footage! :)
@johnwelchphotography5 ай бұрын
Thanks for checking it out and leaving such kind feedback! Appreciate it!
@liamdmcinerney5 ай бұрын
Great vlog, John! Awesome start to the season and glad to hear the loon pairs are well. Good points about loon ethics, I once unknowingly was staked out at a sight a loon was building their nest at. My first thought was oh great this is epic! But then realized I was unwanted and paddled the heck out of dodge. Looking forward to the upcoming vlogs!
@johnwelchphotography5 ай бұрын
Thanks Liam! And glad you shared that anecdote, even still sometimes I come across some situation in wildlife photography and get excited but then have to check that and think things through from the animals perspective. I will check out your new wildlife video, glad you had time to make one amid the home remodel. With 3 kids myself, the most home improvement I can muster right now is clearing a path on the floor so no one trips!
@liamdmcinerney5 ай бұрын
@@johnwelchphotographyI could only imagine trying to do it all with kids! That’ll come soon enough but for now the home reno is already cutting down my wildlife time! All good problems to have. I’m headed up to Acadia (Schoodic side) for a few days during the 4th, seeing your vlog has got me thinking of targeting loons at Jones Pond. Good luck, talk soon!
@raffimatcha91085 ай бұрын
Great video! I love the calm in nature 😊
@johnwelchphotography5 ай бұрын
Thank you for watching and leaving that kind comment!
@in_search_of_solitude5 ай бұрын
Seeing someone who genuinely loves what they are doing is so refreshing. Great episode John, Looking forward to the next
@johnwelchphotography5 ай бұрын
Thanks Chris, I do appreciate that complement. After more than 20 years of exploring the wild in different capacities, I still am enthralled and love how way leads upon way out here. Glad that came across in the video.
@wildbillgreen5 ай бұрын
My twins just started college ❤
@johnwelchphotography5 ай бұрын
Wow, empty nester now? That is hard for me to contemplate.
@wildbillgreen5 ай бұрын
Great episode! I’m totally taking notes to help me with my episodes😂. I’m not sure people realize the work that goes into something of this quality.
@johnwelchphotography5 ай бұрын
Thanks Bill! Yes, as you know, it takes way more time than people would think. I am still learning as I go. I guess I try to think about story when I make my videos, even though I don't really know the story when I am out in the wild.
@withvinayak5 ай бұрын
Wonderful work!!
@johnwelchphotography5 ай бұрын
Thank you very much, appreciate the compliment!
@dianeth735 ай бұрын
Really looking forward to your videos this year!
@johnwelchphotography5 ай бұрын
Thank you Diane! I am happy to be out there making them.
@PeanutChuAdventures5 ай бұрын
John, I enjoyed this, very well done.
@johnwelchphotography5 ай бұрын
Thanks Peanut! I appreciate the compliment!
@suetaylor40185 ай бұрын
YAY!! WELCOME BACK! WE ARE SO HAPPY TO SEE YOU AND THE LOONS 😊!
@johnwelchphotography5 ай бұрын
Thank you Sue! I appreciate it and definitely hope things are better for the loons this year!
@suetaylor40185 ай бұрын
Oh, BTW, I read somewhere that LOONS DO RECOGNIZE US As long as you are near Multiple Times in the Season! AMAZING BIRDS👍
@nationalparksprincess32165 ай бұрын
I am so happy to see an upload from you!! I love the loons! Watching now 😊
@johnwelchphotography5 ай бұрын
Thanks so much, I appreciate the support! Hope you have had some good recent travels!
@capturingnaturewithsandip5 ай бұрын
Amazing so lovely video. Thanks for sharing and lovely presented.