Wednesday, May 6, 2009 6:16am CDT

48 degrees    Clear    Calm

Somewhere on a northern lake in Minnesota, two loons await what has driven them all spring - the hatching of their two eggs.

This is why they have flown a thousand miles north from the Gulf of Mexico. This is why they have returned to the same lake they have occupied for so many years. This is why they have staked out their territory. And made it plain to all others that this belongs to THEM! This is why they have built their nest.

Now they have two eggs in their care and it is what their whole year revolves around.

The first rays of the sun once again turn the cattails and weeds of their nest to shades of gold. Golden highlights reflect off the loon. And once in a while as the loon turns its head, when the light is just right, you can see its blood-red eyes.

One sits faithfully on the nest while its mate is not far away, just a little farther out in the lake diving in the never-ending quest for fish. Wisps of fog and a slight haze hover over a lake that is absolutely still this morning and reflects everything like a mirror.

It is one of those mornings where you wish you could bottle it and savor it over and over and over.

Right now, all is well with the world. No wind to contend with. No predators. No rain or snow or hail. Just a relaxing morning on the nest.

Not that the loon ever feels like it can relax, for its head is constantly turning and looking and observing. Always aware of what is around it. Always watching for danger. Always concerned about the eggs.

They have laid two relatively large eggs. The eggs are a greenish brown with dark spots. Since they usually build their nest out of whatever is available to them on shore, often just weeds and other material that has washed up or even dirt, this coloring blends in with the nest and helps to disguise the eggs. Usually their nest is open to the view from the sky and this also helps protect the eggs from marauding gulls or eagles who might otherwise spot them from above.

Each egg is about 3 to 3.5 inches long and about 2 to 2.5 inches in diameter and weighs about 5 or 6 ounces. They are about half again as big as a tennis ball. The norm is for them to lay two eggs. But once in a while they may lay only one or rarely three.

And now everything they do is focused on hatching those two eggs.

Some of you have seen and commented on the "white spots/rings" on the eggs and wondered if the eggs were cracked or what that was. It now appears that it was simply nesting materials stuck to the eggs. But let's continue to watch andobserve duringthose brief glimpses that we get of the eggs.

As we have already talked about, the average incubation period for a loon egg is 28 days. Most researchers will place it at anywhere from 26 to 30 days. However, from the use of this LoonCam in past years, we have documented hatching in as little as 25.1 days. So this year, be a loon researcher and see how many days it takes the eggs to hatch. From your wonderful observations of the cam, we know exactly when they were laid, down to the minute. When will they hatch?

If you missed seeing the eggs laid, someone by the name of EmtyBelfry captured it on video and has been kind enough to give me permission to give you the video of the actually laying of the first egg. What a miraculous thing to watch! Now YOU are one of the few people in the world who has ever seen a wild loon actually laying its egg! Thank you EmtyBelfry!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0m5cqIOq0o&feature=related

 

Questions or Comments or Observations? Post them here or in the Chat Room or send them to LoonCam@yahoo.com

Tuesday, May 5, 2009 6:42am CDT

 

52 degrees   Cloudy, Mist off and on       Wind  S6mph

 

On a quiet, misty morning, one loon is settled on the eggs while the other loon swims out in the lake and fishes.  They are now in a routine of sitting day after day for the next several weeks.  Rain is predicted off and on throughout the morning.  This doesn't affect the loons.  They are used to water.  That is where they live.  What would affect them is severe weather or high winds.  And none of that is predicted for today.

But this time of year, severe weather can develop unexpectedly.  So the loons are ever vigilant for any kind of danger.  I have seen them on the nest in other years in high winds and waves and even being pelted by hail.  They remained tightly 'glued' to the nest.  Had they not, the eggs would have been destroyed or washed away. 

As we have talked about, the male and the female share nesting duties almost equally.  You have watched as one will get off the nest and the mate will then get on the nest.  (S)he will then carefully turn the eggs with its bill before it settles down on them.  It will rock back and forth to get them just right.  Usually it takes one or two tries before it is fully satisfied that it has the eggs in exactly the right place.  Then it can settle down for the 'long haul'.

Next time you see this ritual, watch how they rock to get the eggs in just the right place to transfer warmth from its body to the egg.  And then as the last step of the routine, it tucks its wingtips tightly around its body.  And on a cold or windy day, it actually locks the wingtips in place with its tail.  Now it has a perfect tightly-sealed warm cocoon around the precious eggs.

Some of you have asked how you tell the male apart from the female.

It is almost impossible to do.  Male and female loons outwardly are almost identical.  The male is usually just a little larger.  But unless they are actually side by side, it is hard to see that difference.  Even loon biologists have trouble telling the male from the female unless the loons are right next to each other.  The male has a slightly bulkier build which you may be able to notice especially in the neck.  But it is hard to tell one from the other.

A number of you have also commented or wondered if the eggs are damaged or broken because you have seen white spots on them or even a white ring around the end of one of the eggs.

Here is a case where living near the nest is of no help.  Through binoculars or even a telescope, I cannot see the eggs at all.  The best view of the eggs is the one that you are seeing on the camera.  I have looked closely on several nest changes and I have seen what you have seen.  In fact, early on I saw a white spot on both eggs and wondered if it was a difference in coloring or if it was simply something white which was stuck to the egg.  But there is not much of anything that is white on the nest so that made it strange.

Then yesterday, there was a very distinct 'ring' of white around one of the eggs.  I tried to look closely and it looked like the structure of the shell was intact.  The egg did not appear to be broken in any way.  So it had to be something ON the egg....either in the coloring of the shell or something stuck to the egg.  I do not know what it is.  Today the pattern seems to be different which would argue that it is just something stuck to the egg.

Some have wondered if it is "loon poop".  It may be but I don't think so.  Loons keep the nest very clean and I have never seen signs where they have defecated in the nest.

So we keep up the "what's that white on the eggs" watch!

Yesterday, some of you may have watched as a Canada goose flew in and landed literally inches away from the nest in a big splash of water!  I have never seen that happen before where a goose has landed so close to the nest that it actually splashed water on the platform.  A second goose was swimming nearby and they seemed to be showing interest in the platform.  But the loon never moved and the geese finally left.  This morning a single goose swam around the nest and seemed to be interested in it.  The loon went into its defensive posture of having its head low.  And soon the goose went swimming off and the loon once again relaxed and raised its head.  We have had very little competition through the years between geese and the loons and for the most part they seem to tolerate each other.

Today, may I suggest that if you know servicemen and women overseas, think about sending them the link to the LoonCam as a 'touch of home'?

Last summer I spent a good share of the summer in England directing a CS Lewis Conference at Oxford and Cambridge.  When I would get back to the room late at night, I would log on and briefly look at a couple webcams looking out over a couple lakes in northern Minnnesota  (it was after the chicks had left our loon nest and the LoonCam was shut down for the year).  I remember how comforting and important that was to me to "reconnect" to home by seeing those lakes.

So brighten the day of one of our wonderful servicemen by giving them the link to the LoonCam.  Help them 'reconnect to home'.

 

Questions, Comments or Observations?  Share them here or in the chat room with each other.  Or send them to LoonCam@yahoo.com

 

Monday, May 4, 2009 8:07am CDT

 

48 degrees   High Clouds   Calm

 

On this calm cool spring morning, everything seems to be well with the loons.

But while we have been sleeping last night, they have been awake and ever vigilant in watching over the nest and their precious cargo of two eggs.

They have invested a great deal of time and energy in these eggs. The eggs are large and it takes a lot of food and energy just to produce them. Unlike many birds whose chicks are naked and helpless when they are born, a loon chick is able to get in the water and swim within a few hours after it is born. To produce a chick that is that far developed takes a lot of energy that is put into the egg.

So if the egg is lost, it can be a devastating blow to the loons. They can potentially lay another pair of eggs if they lose the first nest, but then it becomes a question if there is enough time for the chick to mature and fledge and be ready to fly south before winter weather sets in this fall.

So the loons will do everything they can to protect these eggs and to make sure the chicks hatch.

While you were sleeping, they were vigilant. While you are at work, they are vigilant. When they are out of your sight and mind, they still have to be vigilant.

This is a never ending quest for them. For the next 4 weeks, they will take care of the eggs. But it doesn't stop there.

For the next 3 months after the eggs hatch, they will still need to be vigilant to protect the chicks from harm.

And through the loon cam, you become an 'up close and personal' observer of all they have to contend with.

Whether it be heat or cold. Or black flies which are tormenting the loon this morning. Or eagles and seagulls from above. Wind and waves pose their own threat. Boats and people going by can scare the loon off the nest and expose the eggs. Expose them to too much cold which can kill the developing chick inside. Or expose them to  too much heat from a bright sun which can do the same damage as cold does. Or boats can cause big waves which can literally destroy a nest and wash the eggs out of the nest.  Or people or animals or birds can scare them off the nest just one too many times, until they abandon the nest.

I don't mean to sound too negative....but I just want to remind us that the loons face many challenges minute by minute, day by day. Whether we are watching or not, THEY have to remain faithful and vigilant.

Yesterday I mentioned the black flies which feed exclusively on loon blood.  That is something that after all these years still amazes me - that there are flies that are that specialized!   Diana posted an interesting article from research that had been done way back in the '60s about these black flies which you may find very interesting. You can find it at http://books.google.com/books?id=qVey8htEYS4C&pg=PA209&lpg=PA209&dq=loon++black+flies&source=bl&ots=pEryo7_yqM&sig=evrq7_4ytJpQsBLcpSscQVK9YLI&hl=en&ei=-vb9SaboOoWEtwfe9N2iDQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4#PPA209,M1   Thank you, Diana.  Research since this has confirmed and expanded upon this early research.  So this is just one of the many challenges that the loons face.

And so for the next 4 weeks, the loons will be faithful in trying to make sure they raise a new generation of little loons.  And we have the privilege to be a part of it.

A privilege that includes the wonder hope and joys.  But be prepared.  It can become addictive!   It also includes the concern and worry and even panic and sadness if something happens.  Some of you have already experienced some of those feelings, either this year or in previous years.  But the joy of seeing that little black ball of down that is a loon chick on the nest makes up for everything that has preceded it.  The view of that chick riding on it parent's back makes it all worthwhile.

So sit back.  Relax.  Get another cup of coffee or tea.  Or a cup of hot chocolate.  And enjoy the ride over the next few weeks as you watch our beautiful loons.  A ride that promises ups and downs.  And thrills and spills.  But hopefully at the end of the ride, there are two little healthy loon chicks!

 

Comments or Questions or Observations?  Post them here or in the Chat Room or send them to LoonCam@yahoo.com

 

Sunday, May 3, 2009 2:10pm CDT

 

64 degrees  Partly Cloudy   Wind  NW9mph

 

It is a beautiful spring day in Minnesota.  A slight breeze.  Bright blue sky.  High puffy clouds.  Summer type of clouds.

Our loons now have two eggs on the nest!  With each day that passes, they will get more and more serious about not leaving the nest.  It almost seems as if they know what is ahead and right now they are taking every opportunity to be off the nest and in the water for a few minutes.  The amount of time off the nest  is more than I am even used to seeing but, as of yet, I do not think there is any reason for concern.

With the dates that the eggs were laid, I would say that we should see chicks hatching somewhere around May 28 give or take a couple days.  Assuming that everything goes well and there are no catastrophes in between.  We have somewhat rewritten what is known about loons through this camera on the nest.  The common wisdom is that the incubation period is 28 days.  However, we have documented it to be as low as 25.1 days.  So let's see what this year brings.  YOU can be the research scientists along with all the rest of us!

Some of you have commented about the loon rubbing its head on its back and wondering what that is all about.  Or shaking its head.  You may have seen it looking like it was "snapping" at something in the air.  Well, it WAS snapping at something in the air.  The real sharp eyed ones of you have noticed that there are bugs sitting on the loons head.  If you look closely you can see them at times.

They are a species of black fly. 

And they can torment loons.  That  may also be part of the reason for the loons leaving the nest.  To dive in the water where they can get some temporary relief from these flies.

But these are not ordinary flies!  This is yet another  one of the absolutely fascinating things about loons.  Scientists tell us that they are a species of black fly that feeds EXCLUSIVELY on loon blood!  And you thought your doctor put you on a restrictive diet!!!!!

I still find it hard to believe that it is true.  But there is more and more scientific research that seems to verify that.  Now there is some trivia for around the office water cooler tomorrow!  "Did you know.....!!!"

So blood-sucking black flies - LOONblood-sucking black flies - is just one more thing that the loons have to overcome in their mission to raise a new generation of little loons.

You also  may have noticed the loons sitting with their mouth open and wondered if they were calling or what that was about.

Sometimes loons do call while they are on the nest, but most of the time they are silent while they are sitting on the nest.  I imagine it is partly to keep from drawing attention to the location of the nest.

The open beak posture is one of the ways loons control their body temperature....by breathing in and out more.  You will see that behavior increase on hot days or even very sunny days.  With their black plumage, they absorb a lot of heat from the sun.  Add that to the fact that they are normally swimming in cool water - or even ice cold water - they are used to being able to keep their bodies cool.  But sitting on the nest out of the water, their body heat tends to build up and by opening their beaks and breathing deeper, they are able to get rid of some of the excess body heat.

There is one other behavior that I have never been able to figure out and have never seen any research or explanation of it.  If you know the explanation, I would love to hear it.  The loon will look like it is almost holding its breath.  I am not sure if they are or not but it looks like it.  And then all of a sudden, they will open their beak and breathe deeply and heavily for a while - almost like they are panting.  Why?  I have no idea.  Help me out and help me understand it if you know.  There is so much to learn about these wonderful birds!

So I hope that it is beautiful where you are.  And that you get a chance to get out and enjoy the wonder of God's creation.  That is what I am going to do right now!

 

Comments or Questions or Observations?  Post them here, in the Chat Room or send them to LoonCam@yahoo.com.  I will not be able to answer everyone, but I DO read everyone and try to respond here in the blog if several have the same question.