Dateline Barneys Lake. 2013.June25.
After a long and tragic history, the loons shared with this reporter that they may be giving up. Longtime residents of Barney’s Lake, this loon couple, pictured with their newborn, are beside themselves with worry. Year after year, they have had one to two chicks, only to have them attacked and killed by the snapping turtle residents, or the occasional swan. Mrs. Loon, when interviewed, said sadly, “We may just stop coming here. We’ve loved it, but we just can’t take the risk.”
The current chick lives a precarious life and hopes, unlike its predecessors, to make it safely until this fall’s migration.
When interviewed, Mr. Loon complained, “I’ve seen you people bring turtles back here, even after they have left. I believe if they are dumb enough to be on a busy road, just leave them to their fate. They are dangerous!”
A group of turtles that participated in a focus group to solve this longstanding conflict saw no problem to be solved. Their view is, “Hey, they tease us with those little feet dangling in the pond. What do they expect? We're hungry.”
NOTE: No animals were harmed in the making of this photo reenactment.
Update -- I feel the need to make clear that these are wooden loons on a mirror reflecting the woods outside, chased by a plastic turtle from the Toy Museum...
OTHER NOTE: My 'real' photo for today is in my extras album (
http://365project.org/taffy/the-also-ran-ph/2013-06-25). It was raining this morning and I didn't think I'd be able to do much outside, but then it cleared up and I ended up with several photos to use. But, I'd already been playing with this shot and narrative so thought I'd go ahead and post.
It's sad about the snapping turtles and the loons though.
Thanks Kerri, Yao, and Jan. It is a real problem and we're seeing fewer loons now than we used to. We can hear them at night, but we used to be able to watch them on Barney's Lake. I don't think there's been a successful chick in the past decade. But, in terms of a good capture -- I did go back and edit so it's clear I made up the scene using a mirror, wooden loons, and a toy turtle!
@twr @eyesmile @tajyob @sugarmuser @ness50 @susale @gerry @jodimuli @calm @carolmw
Tim, MaryBeth, taj, Sharon, Vanessa, Susale, Gerry, Jodi, Cathy, and Carol, Thank you so much for the comment on the story, and for mentioning the creativity in the shot -- I rarely 'create' an image so it was great to read your comments!
@annied @sailingmusic @steampowered @pflaume @colie Myrna, Paul, Lisa, Annie, and Colie, I'm glad I could make you smile with my little 'news article.'
@kazlamont Kazzy, love the Lois Lane label!
@gigiz Thanks Gigi -- just the effect I was hoping for!
@archaeofrog Funny, Katie -- Jaws is how I think of the snapping turtles and the poor little ones.
@willowdragon Thanks Al! It was good for me to challenge myself to create something to photograph.
@olivetreeann Thanks Ann -- fun to create and I agree, the things are really nasty creatures.