63 degrees F Clear Calm
Sunrise 5:25 am CDT Sunset 9:05 pm CDT
We have now officially entered summer.
And these are the longest days of the year.
But the rain just will not stop. Today is one of the first days in sometime where we had no rain. The lake is high. Rivers are over their banks. Flooding, mudslides and roads and fields under water are the rule of the day.
We would gladly send some of our water to areas of the country that are battling drought.
But our loons take it all in stride.
They could care less if the lake has risen or if the water is under them or coming down on them from above.
There were several days that I did not see the loons at all. When I don't, my level of concern always goes up.
But today I have seen them several times.
The chicks seem to be doing well.
They are active and growing.
They look to be at least 5 or 6 inches long. And they are ever ready to hungrily gobble every minnow that their parents bring to them.
It was two weeks ago this morning that the second chick fearlessly jumped from the nest into the water. And they haven't looked back since. They are now truly birds of the water.
A couple days ago I watched as the chicks are now able to dive. They are short dives but they are actually able to stay underwater for a little bit.
The more the are able to do that, the safer they will be. They will be able to dive out of the way of danger. But they still are not able to dive like an adult loon and they are still vulnerable to danger.
The chicks are now big enough to be safe from most fish except maybe the largest northerns or muskies. But they still are very much vulnerable to eagles. There is a reason that loons are so aware anytime an eagle is around.
This week I will be teaching at a "pioneer school" - a one room, old-fashioned country school with six grades. I very much look forward to spending time with these kids sharing about loons.
As you and your families are out on the lakes this summer, be aware of loons and keep a wide berth. Give them the space they need.
Questions? LoonCam at yahoo dot com
Copyright 2014 Larry R Backlund