Loon Socks
Description: The common loon or great northern diver (Gavia immer) is a large member of the loon, or diver, family of birds. Breeding adults have a plumage that includes a broad black head and neck with a greenish, purplish, or bluish sheen, blackish or blackish-grey upperparts, and pure white underparts except some black on the undertail coverts and vent. Non-breeding adults are brownish with a dark neck and head marked with dark grey-brown. Their upperparts are dark brownish-grey with an unclear pattern of squares on the shoulders, and the underparts, lower face, chin, and throat are whitish. The sexes look alike, though males are significantly heavier than females. During the breeding season, loons live on lakes and other waterways in Canada.
Description: This is my acrylic painting of a common loon with a baby loon riding on its back as it gracefully swims across a shimmering green lake. The detailed plumage highlights their natural beauty. This behavior is called ‘piggy-backing”, which helps keep the baby warm, conserve energy and protect them from predators. Loons are excellent divers and swimmers underwater. It is the state bird of Minnesota and provincial bird of Ontario. This bird painting is included in the bird playing card game called “Chirp Up”.
