48 degrees Partly Cloudy Wind Calm
A yodel comes from the male swimming near the nest.
From somewhere across the lake comes the answer of another male.
But the loon on the nest does not seem concerned.
I do not see any obvious reason for the yodel other than just saying, "Hey everyone. Who ever is listening, this is MY territory!"
Along with everyone else, I get concerned each time the loon leaves the nest. And this pair of loons seems to leave the nest more often than I have seen before. The pair last year did the same thing and that is one of the reasons I think this may be the same pair as last year but possibly not the same pair as in previous years.
Early in the incubation period, the first egg can stand being left uncovered for relatively long periods of time before serious incubation begins. But that doesn't mean I have to like it any more than you or that I don't get concerned about it as well.
I have to keep reminding myself that they loons know so much more than I do.
But the second guessing about what is best is still hard to keep at bay.
Last night there was one loud "boom". I thought it was fireworks and actually went outside to see what was going on. I do not know what it was.
I see in looking at the chat room this morning that a number of people thought it was a gunshot and that there were several of them. We were in the house and we only heard the one boom.
So I am sorry that I cannot tell you what it was.
I had not even thought that it might have been something related to the beavers until someone in the chatroom mentioned it. But I cannot rule it out unless and until I find out more. If it was related to the beavers, it would have been almost half a mile away.
I do know that the DNR had okayed a permit for a trapper to remove the beavers as a nuisance. Whether he will do that with traps or with firearms, I don't know.
It is not unusual to hear gunfire during hunting season. But it is unusual to hear it this time of year or at night. I guess that is why I thought someone had set off fireworks. Plus hunters do not hunt after dark. But if I find out any information, I will try to let you know.
It was a little surprising that the loon left the nest but then as I said, this pair seems to be more apt to leave the nest for reasons known and unknown than previous ones.
So now the big question is will there be a second egg?
Loons usually lay 2 eggs. Sometimes they will lay just one and rarely they will lay 3 eggs.
The second egg typically follows the first egg by 2 to 3 days.
Last year it was 2 1/2 days between the eggs - almost to the hour.
If there is going to be a second egg, I think the chances are better than even that it will be today. And possibly this morning.
But as with so many other things, we are not in control.
We are merely observers.
Today should be partly cloudy, warm, with only a 20% chance of rain.
So pull up a chair. Grab a cup of coffee or hot chocolate. Sit back. Relax.
And enjoy the show.
We don't know the ending. But previous performances promise that it will keep you at the edge of your seat.
Questions or Comments? LoonCam@yahoo.com