June 6 – Loon Family

On a warm June evening, a pair of common loons tended their two-day-old chicks. One chick rode safely on a parent’s back while the other floated quietly in the water beside them. By this time, the pair had become accustomed to my kayak and allowed me to drift close enough to witness this peaceful family moment.

After hatching, loon chicks often ride on their parents’ backs for the first few weeks. Although the chicks can swim and even dive within about 24 hours of hatching, they still rely heavily on their parents for food and protection. The adults teach them where to find food and how to survive on the lake, guiding them through their first summer.

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Matthew 6:26

This scripture reminds us of God’s care and provision for all living creatures, including the birds. Loon parents show remarkable dedication in caring for their young, a quiet reminder that we, too, are cared for and provided for in ways we may not always see.