A loon, facing to the right, is "running" over the surface of a lake with its wings outstretched, trying to get lift-off. It looks quite clumsy, but once airborne, loons are strong flyers. Fascinating Loon Fact: this is the only way a loon can "walk." They're unable to walk on dry land because their legs are set so far back on their bodies that if they even managed to stand (which they can't), they'd fall on their faces. Instead, the function of their legs and feet is to allow them to paddle through the water, where they spend virtually all their lives, and to help propel them forward and upward from the water when they want to fly. Photographer - Kathy Diamontopoulos