If you don't believe that we are living off the delta as we seek out the loons, here is proof.  Karen our science teacher from Cincinnati hovering over the real lobsters of Louisiana while the freshly caught red fish were being BBQ'd and baked.

Just had 4 hours of presentations by Dr. Jim Paruk on the status of loons in the U.S.
My Conclusion:
     1. We know a great deal about loons in their nesting areas of northern U.S. 5.5 months and know next      to   nothing about loons wintering in southern states for 7.5 months.
      2. Greatest threats to loons are:
           a. loss of nesting habitats due to developments around northern lakes removing shoreline vegetation and don't forget the wake and disturbance from jet skies
            b. Lead and mercury are accumulating in loons as top of the chain predators until they die from overdoses.
            c. Lead weights are ingested by the loons as nice shiny gizzard stones
            d. hooks with fishing line are a large problem entangling loons' bills
            e. oil slicks from natural and man-made sources get into loon densely packed feathers and nearly impossible to remove by cleaning.
      3.  The more we learn about loons and work to conserve them as in New Hampshire the loon population increase.

More cool stuff to come: