Loons in courtship (but is it love?)
Acrylic on masonite, 36 x 24 in. (1998)

While ornithologists might consider this kind of behaviour as a mating display, I have to wonder. It is my view that the male is showing off, walking on water to impress the lady loon. It is unlikely that being able to splash water everywhere and make many bubbles will win any favour.

"Thanks goodness," she may muse, "my outfit is waterproof." She may already have resigned herself to the fact that he is the only other loon on the lake. It seems that the natural rule is one loon couple per lake, so "he" is it!