Calendar Loon

The loon is the state bird of Minnesota. Its haunting call can be heard across lakes across most of the state. This particular loon was photographed at Crex Meadows Wildlife Management Area in neighboring Wisconsin. I took quite a few pics as the loon spent the morning fishing. Loons are efficient divers because, unlike most birds, they do not have hollow bones. This makes them less buoyant, so that it is easier for them to dive, but it also makes them heavier so they need a longer run way to get up into the air.