35 degrees F Partly Cloudy Wind 3mph NE
Sunrise 6:43 am CDT Sunset 7:48 pm CDT
THE LOONS ARE BACK!
They arrived this afternoon.
About 1:30 this afternoon, while I was putting some finishing touches on the loon nest, I heard the distinctive and beautiful call of a loon from out on the lake. It is the first call I have heard this year.
And sure enough.
There was a single loon swimming straight out from where the nest is normally anchored.
I have to admit it put a smile on my face.
Within about 15 minutes, I heard more calls from the lake. And when I looked, there was a pair of loons swimming together.
Obviously the loons had just come back.
I assume it is "our loons" although I cannot say for sure until we are able to get a look at their bands.
As you know the male was banded 3 years ago and the 'new' female was banded last summer.
But there is no reason that just a random pair of loons would land and swim in the very area they have nested before.
Then just as it was getting dark, the pair swam in very close to shore and close to where I was working on the nest equipment. That confirmed to me that it probably was "our pair", even though I still have not seen the bands. But there is NO other explanation why a pair would come in that close to check things out.
The nest is in the water.
There just are numerous small adjustments and things that must be done even after it is in the water.
I am hoping that we will be able to "go live" with the LoonCam in the next couple days.
Tell mom and dad and the kids and grandma and grandpa and the neighbors to start watching.
I was just outside. And the loons are calling out on the lake. Announcing that they have returned.
It doesn't get any better than this.
What adventures and drama and twists will this year bring?
Another season begins!
Copyright 2015 Larry R Backlund