Nicki Steel Photography

Name: Nicki Steel Photography
Address: Wilmington, VT, US
Telephone: +18024645277

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United States
Wilmington, VT
Nicki Steel Photography

I live in s. Vermont & specialize in rural life and wildlife & nature especially loons & eagles

06/07/2026

Enough about loons - let's talk eagles. And I will be next Sunday the 14th. We'll start at Pettee Memorial Library in Wilmington, VT at 4:00 where I will give you an overview of our local pair and how each year has been different. At about 5 we will head down to see the nest (it always surprises me how many people don't even know it's there) and hopefully see some action. Come for one part or both. Bring a picnic dinner if you want. Do know the reservoir is high right now so you may get your feet wet. And be sure to bring binoculars or a zoom or check out the telescope from the library. The eaglet is getting bigger and bigger and so cool to see. Hope to see you there!
PS I will be bringing a few photo cards for purchase, too. Cash or check only.

06/06/2026

Do we have a decision? In the loon world the male picks the nest site - although my observations say that the female certainly has a good amount of input. Last night the Raponda male seemed to say that the nesting raft might just be the place. Twice he climbed up on the raft for about 10 minutes each time. He plopped down, stood up, moved mud around and cut back some ferns. The female came over a couple of times and did help a little.
One strange thing - it is obvious they also want to mate but they can't seem to agree on the location and, frankly, are going to the strangest places in the cove. There's a great lawn where they've mated before but they seem to be ignoring that. It's a mystery to me.
I'm hoping in a few days they will be on eggs on the raft and we will have a chick or two. It's been way too long! Last chick was 2017.

06/05/2026

A gorgeous day at Somerset Reservoir in southern Vermont - but then isn't it always? (Well, except for the bugs...) We were welcomed at the boat launch by 4 loons having a little confab. Then headed out to check on the 4 pairs for Vermont Center for Ecostudies. We saw 9 loons total. Two were on nests so put signs out around one nest. In two different places we found single loons out in the water which usually means the other is on a nest but they must be nesting somewhere different as we couldn't find them. Two eagle sightings, a great blue heron, random geese and maybe too much sun made for a perfect day.
Please remember if you come across a nesting loon give it plenty of space. If it crouches down you are too close.

06/04/2026

Maybe, just maybe...The loon pair is spending quite a bit of time now at the south cove by the raft. it appears to me that the female has decided but the male (who selects the nest site) is still unsure. But he does come over to the raft more often. I keep thinking that the female will climb up on the raft but I haven't seen that yet. Not sure why. They should be making a decision soon - times a-wasting.
This morning I spent 2 hours with them. I keep a good distance for quite awhile and then they (as they often do) approach me, often within 15-20 feet. They can be so curious when they feel safe.
Share if you'd like and if you want to be sure you see what comes next Follow me.
Bonus photo - Eagle keeping cool yesterday.

06/03/2026

Look into his eyes. He has stories to tell...

06/02/2026

Silly loons. Ok, let's say you have a choice of where to have a nest. Would you chose a secluded quiet cove with a lovely raft away from shore, complete with ferns and greenery? Or, would you chose another small cove surrounded by large houses with no suitable nesting sites, only shoreline where predators are a real concern? These silly loons seem to be going with door #2 as they both mated and looked for nest sites there last night. I'm hoping they will change their mind...

05/27/2026

Two days - two different loon pairs. In Monday's fading light I checked in with the local pair. Still flirting and investigating the nesting raft. She seems more than eager to mate but he's still stand-offish. The highlight was watching them interact with a huge snapping turtle.
Yesterday a visit to the pair in a remote pond in the National Forest. They are on the nest. That's great to see but not much action so I checked out all the lovely spring flowers that surround the pond and a handsome great blue heron.
Bonus photo of eaglet and adult.
Enjoy, Share and spend some time in nature.

05/24/2026

A quick visit to the eagles last night. The light was dull but it was great to see both adults there when I arrived and, as always, be amazed at how fast the eaglet is growing.
Also - advance notice. On Sunday, June 14th at 4:00 I will be giving an eagle talk with lots of photos at Pettee Memorial Library in Wilmington. At 5:00 we will head down to the lake to watch the eagles. More info to follow.
Share if you'd like and I hope to see some of you on the 14th!

Address

Wilmington, VT

Telephone

+18024645277

Website

http://www.nickisteel.com/

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