Sunday, May 2, 2010 8:40am CDT

 
49 degrees  Clear and Sunny   Windy
 
 
On a windy morning with bright sunshine and a few clouds scudding across the sky, our loons have already visited the nest several times.  And they have even mated twice this morning alone.
 
The increased number of visits to the nest and the increased amount of time spent at the nest both continue to be positive signs that the loons will once again use the nest this year.  I know it can be frustrating and worrying that they have not nested yet.  But at this point I do not think there is yet any reason for great concern although I have been surprised that they have not nested yet.
 
With some of the behaviors we have already seen, I had thought that we were close to egg laying a couple times.  But with every return to the nest, the chances increase that they will once again lay eggs and raise a new generation of loons.
 
It is something over which we have no control.  We can only watch and wait.  And worry!   And enjoy the view and the suspense.  When the time is right, the time will be right.  There is still plenty of time.
 
But with all their actions and behaviors, somewhere deep within the loons is the primeval urge to produce a new generation of loon chicks.  Somewhere deep within her body, in all likelihood two eggs are developing.  And she senses that.   When the eggs are ready, they will come.  Not too soon.  Not too late.  Somewhere in the wonderful circle of life that was given to us, there are mysteries that are too deep to fully understand.  But we watch.  And we learn.  And we try to understand as much as we can.
 
And for what we cannot understand, we just step back and marvel at the magnificent gift that has been given to us!