Met this very friendly local out for an early swim. He doesn’t know Reddit though, just kept saying “who?”

Nice adolescent loon. Very cool!

Lovely haunting call from this lil fella in the future

Weird to see one on shore like that, hopefully it's okay.

I wonder why it wasn't leery of you? Friendly wildlife isn't normal.

i aspire to be as chill in my everyday life as this loon.

I have found Loons to be much less skittish than many birds (especially compared to ducks), but you're right, "friendly" is abnormal and it's especially strange considering the bird's position at the edge of the water. I hope OP considers going back to check on this bird and calls a rehabber if it's still on shore.

Not normal, but could just be running from a bald eagle.

I am wondering if people were feeding it.

Yeah this is a juvenile and they are still vulnerable to birds of prey. I almost wonder if it was attacked / injured.

Everyone here thinks this is cute and cool....

As a general rule, you should always leave loons alone. As a general rule, you should never get this close to wildlife. They do not spend much of any time on land except for when they are nesting. As a matter of fact, they NEED water in order to take off. Luckily this one is close to the water, but it is highly unusual that it would let you get so close.

Nothing cool or cute here. Mostly just concerning.

Lots of fed ducks on that beach, never seen a loon there though. I know some live just the other side of Wheeler Mtn though.

cute dog

That picture is National Geographic worthy.

Not uncommon for them to be on the shore, they nest close and have to scoot themselves up onto land. Probably couldn’t get away in time and froze in fear, they don’t have the bone structure or muscles to hold themselves up on land so they are suuuper slow

This is Loonacy.

Bad ass

It is in the water, at shore... not on shore. Ducks are often stupid friendly in my experience and this Loon looks just fine. Great pic!