Not so common, Common Loon

Today I heard a familiar sound at a distance, which was soon drowned by the cacophony of geese and gulls. After walking along the trail for a few minutes, I came across a group of waterfowls swimming gracefully in the reservoir besides the trail. I wondered, could they possibly be Loons? May be the familiar sound I heard at the beginning of the trail was indeed the sound of a loon. Though commonly referred to as “Common Loon,” their presence was far from ordinary to me.

Though I had never seen a Loon in person, I had admired them countless times in photographs. Their distinctive appearance and calls had left such a lasting impression on me that I was certain of recognizing them whenever I happen to see them. Their dagger-like bill was prominent even from a distance. As I peered through my binoculars, I saw a sleek black head and striking black & white pattern on the body. That was a male accompanied by three females wearing a muted plumage that exuded an elegance of their own. I could not believe my eyes. They had appeared when I had least expected it. Together, the four of them swam back and forth under the sky that was slowly losing its light.

The dusk was beginning to settle in when I heard the yodeling from a group of loons in the distance. There were apparently more of them, unseen but clearly heard. It was the sound of the wild I had long desired to hear. Moments later it was followed by a wail, so hauntingly beautiful that it transfixed me in my spot. The sounds died off after only a few seconds, yet it left such a deep & resonant feeling of peace & reverence that I continued to remained rooted to the spot for a while.

The four loons that I could see continued to swim gracefully and quietly along the shore. I watched them until they drifted too far from the sight. That was my first time witnessing a Common Loon in the wild - it was a special moment.