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Common Loon (Gavia immer)
The Owen Sound Field Naturalists Collection, #8
The Common Loon (Gavia immer) is perhaps the most emotionally resonant wildlife symbol in all of Canada, its trembling call carrying across cottage lakes at dusk in a sound so deeply woven into the Ontario summer experience that for countless people it is indistinguishable from memory itself. Ontario's provincial bird and the iconic face of the Canadian dollar coin, the Loon is a masterful diver whose striking black and white breeding plumage and vivid red eye make it one of the most visually arresting birds on the continent. In Ontario, the Common Loon is not currently listed as a species at risk, though it faces significant ongoing pressure from shoreline development and motorboat disturbance of nesting sites. The health of Loon populations is considered a reliable indicator of lake ecosystem quality, making every nesting pair on a Grey and Bruce County lake a living measure of the water's clarity, chemistry, and the stewardship of the communities that surround it.
Reference photography for inspiration was kindly provided by Rachel Moore, thank you!
✨ 15% will be donated to conservation from all OSFN Collection original paintings ✨
In a collaboration to highlight the enjoyment of our backyard wildlife here in Ontario, the Owen Sound Field Naturalists and signature member of Artists for Conservation, Sarah McComb Turbitt, created a challenge to paint as many local species as she can during March 2026. 15% of original artworks, 35% of limited-edition prints, and 50% of artwork cards will be donated to OSFN. The Owen Sound Field Naturalists promotes and fosters learning about nature through their ongoing programs and sponsorships. They support a wide variety of activities, including a Young Naturalists Program, stewardship of many natural heritage properties in Grey Bruce Counties, interpretive signage, presentations by knowledgeable speakers and outdoor excursions with experienced leaders.
All original artwork is hand-signed by Sarah McComb-Turbitt and includes a certificate of authenticity and white cotton gloves for handling the painting upon delivery.