This is my painting of a Common Loon on Bark Lake in Ontario, Canada.  My friend and I were canoeing early one morning and this stunning little creature just appeared out of the mist.  We were both grateful because this was the reason we were out here with our cameras in the wee hours of the morning.  It was delightful as we followed him around and he just let us trail along without being spooked at all.  What I enjoyed most was the soft mist that blanketed the arrea and just made unnecessary details around us just fade away.  To me, this piece represents how simple life can be if we just let it happen.  I titled it 'The Wake' because it reminds me to leave the past behind like the loon leaves his wake and concentrates on the present moment and what lies ahead.

The solitary loon can live for 30 years and has a busy life spending a good portion of his day preening to keep his feathers in good shape. Squeezing oil from his tail gland with his bill and then running it through his feathers provides the waterproofing needed to keep him buoyant. The rest of his day is spent caring for his young with his mate, resting, hunting and eating. Unlike most birds, the loon has solid bones, which give him more weight making it easier for him to dive under water for food.  Endangered at one time, the Common Loon enjoys healthier numbers today, thanks to conservation efforts.