Ina Nektar Fly Fishing

Flank Plumage

The Common Loon, silent in winter, has three separate summer calls, the long wail, the most often heard at night and before a storm, a yodel of haunting beauty and a tremulous laugh. It is probably the latter which has led to the popular expression "Crazy as a loon" or "loony", but exciting as they are to hear, all three calls have been somewhat over dramatized in wilderness literature. They are easily imitated, and two experienced people have been known to call one another for a long period, each thinking a loon was replying.

Loons are found singly or in pairs in open water on deep lakes. Normally there is only one pair per lake, but if the lake is large and the outboard motor count reasonable, it will support more.

The loon is a large bird which seldom comes ashore except to breed. Ideally suited to catching fish under water, it travels long distances and can remain submerged for two or three minutes, but usually stays down for less. It propels itself mostly with its webbed feet and occasionally with its wings. By compressing its feathers and exhaling, the loon can ride low in the water and even sink at will. It also feeds on frogs, shellfish and vegetation.

This species moults in late winter when it is flightless for a time. It emerges from its drab gray and white winter colors to a hard, glossy plumage which looks all black from a distance. The head is dark with a green sheen, there's a striped white bar across the back of the neck. The back and flanks are a mass of orderly black and white checks, bars and spots. The undersides are white.

The loon cannot rise from the land and, off water, requires a take-off run varying from a few yards to a quarter of a mile, depending on the wind. It taxis along, feet galloping and wings churning the water. The flight is then direct and fast, with the head carried low, giving a rather hump-backed appearance.

Jeremy Spicoli is a well published author in diet, health, and fitness but also writes on topics such as gardening and organic fertilizer.

Plumage $1.9 This unique invitation has a thin green border and colorful peacock feather. Bright white enclosure cards are available.

Men's Flank Hoodie $21 Men's Flank Hoodie

Bird With The Crystal Plumage $9.99 Bird With The Crystal Plumage

Macaw Plumage Detail $124.99 Diego Lezama Macaw Plumage Detail - Wall Mural

L'Oisauau Plumage Deploye $29.99 Joan Miró L'Oisauau Plumage Deploye - Art Print

Great Egret With Breeding Plumage $19.99 Great Egret With Breeding Plumage - Photographic Print

A Snow Flank in the Sun, Colorado $19.99 Michael Brown A Snow Flank in the Sun, Colorado - Premium Poster

Cashel Flank Cinch Hobble $8.95 Be prepared on the trail with the Cashel Flank Cinch Hobble. Versatile and durable, the Flank Cinch Hobble comes in biothane and is compatible with any variety of western tack.

L'Oiseau au Plumage Deploye $79.99 Joan Miró L'Oiseau au Plumage Deploye - Framed Art Print

Cattle Egret in Breeding Plumage $34.99 Tim Laman Cattle Egret in Breeding Plumage - Photographic Print

American Goldfinch in Summer Plumage $24.99 Adam Jones American Goldfinch in Summer Plumage - Photographic Print

Prothonotary Warbler in Breeding Plumage $39.99 Joel Sartore Prothonotary Warbler in Breeding Plumage - Photographic Print

A Trio of Parakeet Auklets in Breeding Plumage $39.99 A Trio of Parakeet Auklets in Breeding Plumage - Photographic Print

Strange Bird with Brightly Coloured Plumage $49.99 Strange Bird with Brightly Coloured Plumage - Giclee Print

Cashel Trail Flank Cinch $148.99 Cashel Trail Flank Cinch Prepare to hit the trail with the Cashel(R) Flank Cinch Assembly. This flank cinch features 2 billets and has a diamond stamped pattern across the leather. It comes in chestnut skirting leather. 3" wide and 36" long. Billets measure 27" in length.

Saddlesmith Champion Flank Girth $69.99 Saddlesmith Champion Flank Girth Features a 2 1/2" wide double ply, stiched flank girth with roller buckles and tooled billet straps. Measures 77" length with room for more holes.

Totem Poles Flank the Visitor Center $24.99 Jeff Foott Totem Poles Flank the Visitor Center - Photographic Print

A Skier Traversing the Flank of Mount Belford $39.99 Tim Laman A Skier Traversing the Flank of Mount Belford - Photographic Print

WTF Plumage Regular $29 Download the WTF Plumage Regular font for Mac or Windows in OpenType, TrueType or PostScript format.

Tory Leather Flank Cinch London $39.99 Tory Leather Flank Cinch 1 1/2" wide leather flank cinch with connector strap. Measures 46" shortest and 65" longest length.

Tory Leather Flank Cinch Chestnut $39.99 Tory Leather Flank Cinch 1 1/2" wide leather flank cinch with connector strap. Measures 46" shortest and 65" longest length.

Tory Leather Flank Cinch Black $39.99 Tory Leather Flank Cinch 1 1/2" wide leather flank cinch with connector strap. Measures 46" shortest and 65" longest length.