When in the Upper Peninsula, do as the loons at Seney National Wildlife Refuge do: chill. Here, at dawn, a lone loon glides across the refuge’s J Pool. It’s part of the remote paradise’s 95,000 acres, where more than a dozen loon pairs breed and raise their young in the summer months. Because these waters are closed to boating, the loons are content and sense a feeling of safety. This pretty loon is joined by a belted kingfisher (above) and a trumpeter swan. Photo by Teresa McGill.
Teresa McGill and her husband, Michael, have lived in northwest Michigan’s Central Lake area for more than 45 years. She graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science in business administration, but discovered a passion for wildlife photography more than 25 years ago. Today, she spends as much time as possible at Seney National Wildlife Refuge in the eastern part of the Upper Peninsula, arriving before sunrise to photograph wildlife — especially loons. McGill says she enjoys observing the birds from the time they return to the north country to nest and raise their young until they leave in the autumn. The photographer journals her observations, and then shares them with the facility. When she’s not at Seney, McGill enjoys studying the American bald eagle or monitoring snowy owls.
“I love to educate, and promote conservation and the importance of guarding our natural resources,” McGill says. “(I also like to) educate others on how to ethically photograph and respect our wildlife. I love to blend into the environment and quietly observe my subjects, being as unobtrusive as I can. Blending artistry and nature into one is a satisfying venture that I love to share.”
Follow me and I will teach you the ways, says a G Pool male, who takes a swim with his 2-week-old chicks. Covered in blackish-brown down, chicks can swim immediately and look to their parents for protection. The G Pool is part of the managed, extensive wetland pools at the refuge. Photo By Teresa McGill.
The New Hampshire-based Loon Preservation Committee shares on its website that loons preen regularly to maintain the waterproofing of their feathers. Doing a sheen-preen of sorts, they’ll flap their wings hard and rise out of the water, appearing to be unable to take off. When preening, you’ll see them shake their wings, head, and tail. Photo by Teresa McGill.
When breeding season is about over or ends, agression wanes and loons become much more social. If you see a raft of loons at a gathering, it’s party time (this one took place in July, reports photographer McGill). They’re likely enjoying some socializing and foraging. Photo by Teresa McGill.
Seney’s ABJ and Fe, the world’s oldest and likely most productive documented common loon pair, mated for 25 consecutive years! They defied the species’ non-monogamous nature, raising more than 32 chicks. They have returned to Seney this past spring, but have new partners (for now). Leg bands help identify birds so researchers can track their age and movements while observing their behavior without interference.Photo by Teresa McGill.
And whoosh! This loon at Gray’s Creek Pool, which empties from A Pool, knows that when arriving or departing from water, he’s either using his belly to slow down and land, or his feet to take off and run across the water’s surface while flapping furiously. Photo by Theresa McGill
You get a peaceful, easy feeling during another sunrise at Seney National Wildlife Refuge. Here, ABJ and Fe’s daughter tends to her chick. When swimming with a chick, adult loons typically use soft, low-amplitude calls for intimate communication to stay in touch. Go, and hear for yourself. You’ll find there’s no other place quite like Seney (fws.gov/refuge/seney). Photo by Teresa McGill.
