Exotic Birds of America Ducks in a pond

Exotic Birds of America Ducks in a pond... more

by Navin Joshi

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Exotic Birds of America Ducks in a pond

Artist

Navin Joshi

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Mixed Media

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Exotic Birds of America Ducks in a pond

About north American birds from the www web..
The Snowy Owl, The Great Blue Heron and the Common Loon. In the end, however, I feel that nothing really captures the mood of our northern wilderness quite like the call of a loon; forlorn, distant and resonant. I have been fortunate to have a cottage in Quebec since I was 8 (which, alarmingly, means I have been returning to that cottage for 42 years now). Each year, even as things change around us, there has always been a family of loons on the lake - and they are as much a part of the fabric of the landscape as the surrounding White Pines, the lap of the lake and the quiet of the North. And. really - let's face it - Owls are kind of annoyingly aloof and, well - don't even get me started on Herons...

Additionally, the behavior of the Loon seems distinctly Canadian - they raise their young with quiet determination, they travel in loose-knit groups when fishing that allow for individual action while still maintaining a respect for the whole, and when they choose to cry out vocally it is with purpose and not just for the sake of hearing their own voices - which, as an expat living in the United States, is a distinction that seems particularly apt and uniquely Canadian.

Politically, Loons are known for their even-handedness - which is surely a reflection of their Canadian souls. And while the debate is still ongoing - it's generally accepted that 3 out of 4 Loons surveyed rejected Bill C-51 out of hand after fully reading the language it contains. But the point is - they read it! Herons, on the other hand, a straight party-line voters who most likely have vested interests in security companies... AND they are known to pee in their own nests.

In matters of foreign policy Loons send a clear and unwavering message - "We want to eat your fish". This clarity of mission is what allows them to travel freely to the United States during the winter months (much like other Canadians) and, while the surly Yankee residents of the Eastern seaboard may not be thrilled to have our Loons around during the winter months - they certainly could never say that they weren't warned about exactly why they are there or how long they are staying. Yes indeed, from the point of view of diligence, our Common Loons have their paperwork in order and are truly citizens of the world.

In the arts Loons have excelled more than any other waterfowl and have been celebrated across multiple mediums from oil paintings, to watercolor, pastels, pen and ink, and even gouache, which I believe is a French word and, thus inherently celebrates our multicultural heritage. Loons even grace our most famous coin - the "Loonie". Try spending a "Heronie" or "SpottedOwlie and see where it gets you - nowhere, that's where.

Of additional significance is the fact that the Loon has sharp, rearward-pointing projections on the roof of its mouth and tongue that help it keep a firm hold on slippery fish - just like all Canadians! - and this alone should put the Common Loon right at the tippy top of the list.

The Common Loon is a peaceful bird - but when called to duty they have always been ready to serve. It's a little-known and utterly inaccurate fact that Common Loons were the first into action at both Dieppe and the Somme. If this were even remotely true, how could we even consider honoring a relentless Peacenik like the Great Blue Heron or a "drawing room soldier" like the Snowy Owl? If Loons are willing to stand up for Queen and Country - shouldn't we be willing to stand up for Loons? I mean really - is this even a question at this point?

Bald Eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Belted Kingfisher, Ceryle alcyon

Canada Goose, Branta canadensis

Common Loon, Gavia immer

Common Merganser, Mergus merganser

Common Tern, Sterna hirundo

Double-crested Cormorant,
Phalacrocorax auritus

Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodias

Green Heron, Butorides virescens

Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus
Least Bittern, Ixobrychus exilis

Marsh Wren, Cistothorus palustris

Northern Harrier, Circus cyaneus

Osprey, Pandion haliaetus

Ring-billed Gull, Larus delawarensis

Snow Bunting, Plectrophenax nivalis

Spotted Sandpiper, Actitis macularia

Swamp Sparrow, Melospiza georgiana

Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator

Wilson�s Snipe, Gallinago gallinago
(formerly known as Common Snipe)

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April 1st, 2015

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