Sunday, May 31, 2009 12:51pm

72 degrees   Sunny   Wind SE 14mph

On another picture perfect summer day, our loons are doing fine.

Bright sunshine.  Blue sky.  Gentle breezes.  And two gorgeous little loon chicks swimming with their parents.  Does it get any better?!

The parents are in non-stop feeding mode.  And the chicks are in non-stop eating mode.

No sooner than one loon comes up with a minnow and one of the chicks hungrily gulps it down. The other parent dives.  And moments later comes up with another minnow which is quickly consumed.  Dive after dive.  Minnow after minnow.  Meal after meal.

It is sort of like a big Chinese buffet.  But a buffet on a conveyor belt.  Endless food.  Endless appetites.

Sometimes both loon parents dive at the same time and the chicks look around as if to say "Where did everybody go?!"  Only to be greeted in seconds with yet another minnow.

It is so cute to watch as the little balls of down mimic their parents and rise up in the water, their white little bellies exposed, and flutter their tiny little wings.  Or they roll over on their side, once again exposing their beautiful white underside, and waggle a big chickie loon foot in the air.

So enjoy your day, where ever you are.  And know that right now the loons are having a spectacular day.  And they are doing very well!

Saturday, May 30, 2009 12:46pm CDT

64 degrees Sunny Wind 17mph NW

The sky is a deep blue with not a cloud in sight. Only the wide white contrail of an airplane that went over unnoticed some time ago stands out against the blue.

A fairly stiff northwest wind has whipped the lake into modest whitecaps.

And somewhere out there among the whitecaps are our loons.

It is hard if not impossible to see them right now with the waves. It seems like the stark black-and-white plumage of a loon would stand out and draw attention to it, no matter where it is. But such is not true.

With the whitecaps on the lake, they just blend into the waves and the color. Even on a day with just ripples on the surface of the water, from above they blend into the sparkle of light off the ripples. And it makes it difficult for even the "eagle-eyed" eagle to see them on the lake.

So what at first seems like an obvious mistake of coloring is exactly the perfect pattern to blend in with its surroundings.

Early this morning I did see them out there in the cool morning air. Peacefully floating along. Just before the winds started to come up. I could not tell for sure if both chicks were there but I think they were. It looked like there were two distinct bumps under the wings of the one loon. Wings that hopefully sheltered two little loons riding on its back.

I can tell you for sure that just before dark last night, both chicks were there. Healthy and active. And cute as ever!

And what other bird gives you a picture so beautiful and heart touching as the two little chicks riding on the back of the parent. If you have never seen it, just google loon pictures and there is almost sure to be a picture of a cute little chick riding on the back of the adult loon. Something that is so special and just one more thing that endears loons to all of us.

Especially during the first two weeks of its life, the baby loon is so vulnerable to so many dangers.

It can not dive well. It can dive almost immediately after getting off the nest but dives only a few inches deep. And then it pops back up to the surface like a cork.

So it is vulnerable to things under the surface of the water, above the surface in the air and on the surface. Under, it is vulnerable to muskies and bass and northerns and turtles. Above, it is vulnerable to eagles and seagulls. And on the surface of the water, it is vulnerable to jet skis and speedboats. They can be right on top of them before the boater even sees them and the little loon is not able to dive deep enough to get away safely.

So if you are out on the lake, watch for loons and especially the little babies. If your friends are boaters, encourage them to do the same.

Let me explain a little bit about the webcam.

It probably will not be live again this season. It was my intent and everyone's intent to keep it live for at least a week after the loons left the nest. To give you a chance to catch the rare glimpse of the loons as they swam by the nest. But probably more importantly to gradually ease you off your addiction to our loons!!!

Here is one more amazing thing that happened! Just an hour and a half or two hours after the second chick left the nest on Thursday morning, the fourth of four channels on the video server burned out! So I guess if it was going to happen, the timing could not have been more perfect because at least it gave you a chance to see the second chick make that giant leap of faith into the water. How bad would it have been if it burned out just as the chick was standing at the edge.

In talking with the people at MN Bound, there was the feeling that by the time they could even get a new video server shipped in and reconnected it would be too late to give you any meaningful viewing. So for now they will be playing videos of some of the previous days to give you something to see our loons.

To put your minds at ease, you are not missing much by not seeing the live cam. Although I realize that even seeing the empty nest brings some closure to the year.

However, even that I find to be bittersweet. How quickly it changes!

One minute there is a loon and chicks on the nest. It is full of life and fascination and wonder.

The next minute, the loons are gone. They have left the nest. They swam out of view. And all that is left is a nondescript, some might even say ugly, mass of dead dry lake weeds and vegetation. So lifeless. So lacking in interest. So different than it had been. So devoid of life and action.

I will periodically continue to give you updates about our loons. Several of you have asked about the nest itself and I will maybe try to answer some of those questions in the next few days. You can get a better view of the whole nest and where it is in the Simply Science segment that Sven Sundgaard did for KARE11 tv. http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=724929

For today, just know that the loons are doing well.

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

Friday, May 29, 2009 6:30am CDT

45 degrees  Clear and Sunny   Wind NNW 6mph

Our loons - all four of them - have made it safely through another night.

Now in the cool morning air with the sun just skimming the surface of the lake, it swims near the nest with its precious cargo of two little chicks tucked safely under its wings.  Two bumps under the wings.  One on either side.  Occasionally a little head and beak will peak out from under the wing.  Just to check to see where they are.

There are a couple calls.  And soon the other loon swims in from somewhere out on the lake,

And then both of them head out into the lake for the day.

But our chicks are ok.  They are active.  And they have made it through one more dark night.

Shortly after dark last night, the loons calls could be heard echoing across the lake.  Wails, and tremolos and yodels.

There are times that I wish that I did not know the difference between the calls.  For when it was just a "loon call", I could enjoy every one of them.  Now the tremolo calls and the yodels cause me concern knowing that they are alarm calls.  And especially in the night when I can't see what is happening.  There is immediately concern for the safety of the chicks.

There are sometimes when I question the commonly accepted wisdom that the tremolo and the yodel are  only used as alarm calls.  There are times when I have seen the alarm calls used and yet see absolutely no reason that the loons should be alarmed or that anything is threatening them.  There is so much to learn about these magnificent birds.

Shortly after the loons left the area, there were HUGE legs standing on the the nest.  Standing on the nest!

It was a great blue heron that had landed on the nest!

It was tall enough that all you could see on the camera was the body and the legs.  I have never seen a heron land on the nest before.  Surely the loons see this as well.  But there is no reaction.  Their bond with the nest has been broken.

Twenty four hours ago there would have been a MAJOR battle if this had happened.  And our new chick would have been in serious trouble.  So just when you think you have seen everything possible, something new like this happens.

The heron stands and pivots around showing its whole body.  Much like a heron model on a heron fashion runway.  Showing off the long legs.  The magnificent body and the unique feathers that lie on top of the main body feathers, just like some fancy evening wrap put on for a night on the town.

After five minutes on the nest, the heron flies off.  With no reaction whatsoever from the loons.

Last night around 7pm, one of the loons came in next to the nest with both babies.  It just floated.  No attempt to get on the nest.  Just content to float nearby.  I was wishing that the camera had been live for you to see it.  For about twenty minutes it floated by the camera for a minute or two and then out of sight.  And then floated back the other direction for a minute or two and once again out of sight.  And both chicks were either on the back or swimming nearby during this time.

I assumed it was the female and that the male was somewhere out on the lake.

Then the loon decided to get back up on the nest.  In one of its characteristic vaults, it jumped up on the nest.  And the two chicks on its back went flying through the air and landed in the water!

The loon sat on the nest this way.  And then it got up and turned that way.  And then got up and turned the other way.

And then came the surprising part.

It made a couple of wail calls.  And then more surprising.  A couple of yodels!

It was the male on the nest and that had been taking care of both chicks.  Not the female like I had been so quick to assume.

But then as if to say "Ok, I am satisfied.  There is nothing here for us.", he got off the nest in  just a couple minutes and swam away with his two little chicks in tow.

This morning you can relax and know that both our little chicks are safe and sound.  And right now are enjoying a wonderful sunny morning on a Minnesota lake.  Just like it should be.  And like the Louis Armstrong song that somebody posted here in the chatroom, "I see trees of green, red roses too...and I say to myself, WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD!"

Have a wonderful day in YOUR wonderful world!

Don't forget to stop and look at all the beauty and wonder that God has placed all around you.  And today appreciate it anew with new eyes and new understanding.

Thursday, May 28, 2009 6:12 pm CDT

79 degrees   Sunny   Wind NW 8mph

I know some of you are probably going through "loon withdrawal" right now.

Let me just tell you that the loons are doing fine.

And for whatever it is worth, you have not missed viewing them on the camera because even though they have remained in the area. they have not been around the nest.  I have been relaxing and resting today so I have not watched all the time.  But I have seen only one time late this afternoon when they were close enough to the nest that you could have actually seen them.

So for whatever it is worth, you are not missing a lot of views of our loons.

I will see if there is any possibility that they can turn the webcam on for a little while for you.  I can't promise what they can do but I will at least ask.  I think this morning we "burned out" the fourth and final port on the video server that takes the signal from the cam and processes it so that it can be transmitted over the internet to you.  That is probably why the cam is down now.  The cam itself is working fine and I am watching the picture.  But it isn't getting through all the other stuff it has to traverse to get to you.  I am not sure if it is because of the heavy traffic or what the problem has been that they have burned out several ports.

But it may give you a chance to wean yourself off your loon addiction without having to go "cold turkey".  Or in this case would that be "cold loon"!?

But just know that both chicks are healthy and active.  Both loons have been feeding them little minnows.  And the chicks have been alternately swimming and riding on the adults back.

So thank you once again for your wonderful support and interest in the loons.  They are doing well and enjoying a spectacular Minnesota spring day.

Thursday, May 28, 2009 5:18am CDT

40 degrees Clear Wind NNW 3mph

First of all, for those of you are checking in this morning to see if we have a chick...or two

WE HAVE A SECOND BABY LOON!!!

As of about 8:50pm last night, the loon let us see a new second chick just emerging from the egg. Still wet! But struggling to move and be active. But a new chick. As new as new can get!

So all of the loons patience and faithful care of the eggs has paid off with yet another chick!

This morning is a moody morning on the lake.

Banks of fog drift across the lake in the cool early morning light. What Sigurd Olson used to call the horses of Lac la Croix because they looked like the flowing manes of galloping horses. So this morning the loons are seeing the "horses" of their lake running in the chill morning air.

But all is well.

There is a healthy second chick under the loon on the nest.

And the other loon floats nearby with its charge, the first chick, tucked safely under its wings.

Once again one can only wonder, does it get any better than this?!?!

As the first rays of the rising sun now touch the loon on the nest, the second chick peeks out from under a wing. What is going through its mind as it sees the sun for the first time? And feels its warmth on its downy black body? A body so small and vulnerable. But so active.

Or does anything go through its mind? Oh to know the answers to the great imponderable questions!

But all that is really important at this point is that we have two loon chicks. Two healthy loon chicks.

Two healthy and active loon chicks.

And our second chick is getting his first look at all that is new and wonderful and scary in this new world. Almost as if it is too much to take it all in, he scrambles back under the safety of the wing. Only to reappear a few minutes later for another look. Trying to take it all in. Once again to disappear back under the wing. The only place that he has really known over the few short hours of its life during the dark of night.

This is what the loons have put all their attention and effort into making happen. It is what so many of you have invested countless hours watching the webcam to see. Now it is here. Now it is successful. Now we can relax. Or can we?

For now begins the most vulnerable and dangerous time for our little chicks. The first two or three weeks are the weeks that they remain at risk from so many dangerous things in this big new world that they have entered.

But for us, we can just revel in the fact that we have two beautiful little chicks. Healthy and active. Something out of nothing.

So enjoy these moments. Enjoy them to their fullest and remind yourself what a wonderful world we live in. And how we have been given the gift of special moments like this ifwe will only pause long enough to see them. To see what is really important in life. To see life itself!

All other things fade into insignificance.

You might want to watch for one other thing today. It may be one of the last times you get a chance to see it this year while the loons are still on the nest. In the bright sunshine that is forecast for today, look especially at the coloring of the loons head and the black collar around its neck.

At first glance they appear just jet black.

But watch. As the sun strikes them just right, they are not a simple black at all. Notice that the head had a distinct green iridescence to it. The light has to be just right to see it. But if you watch you will see it.

But even more amazing, watch the black collar around the loons neck.

In just the right light, it is a spectacular turquoise green! Not black at all but a stunning turquoise! A turquoise necklace befitting royalty.

People wonder why loons are so special. And why this LoonCam has become such a worldwide phenomena. Would there be the same interest and wonder if it were a camera on a duck nest. Or a turkey nest. It seems that there is something about the loons that is so special that it stirs something deep inside us. Even people who have never seen a loon before. Or especially heard a loon. What can ever wipe from our memory the sound of a loon call echoing across some still northern lake at night.

I mentioned in the blog last night about preparing yourself for the almost inevitable fight between the chicks. The establishment of the "pecking order". I hope it won't happen because it is hard to watch. But I know that there is a high probability that it will happen. And I just want you to be prepared for it. It can be jarring.

Here we have the perfect picture this morning. All is well with the world. The sun shines brightly. We have two healthy chicks. Can anything intrude on this picture of perfection. And then the fight starts.

I would guess that it will happen if the first chick gets up on the nest and realize that it has competition for mom and dad's attention. Or when the second chick gets in the water for the first time next to the first chick.

They will probably fight and fight and fight. It will look like they are going to tear each other apart. And there is a slight danger of injury. But it usually lasts for 5 to 10 minutes and as soon as it started, it stops. Never to be repeated as far as what I have observed.

What is the purpose of it? Add it to your list of questions to ask God the next time you talk to him. Some scientists feel that establishing a dominance is important in times when food is scarce. That the survival of one chick is better than losing both. But there is a part of me that says that there is even a deeper meaning. One too deep for me to understand.

On a personal note, let me apologize for not being available when the cam went down yesterday afternoon. Reading the messages this morning I know that many of you were panicking. Yesterday I had some minor surgery and so if people had been able to find us, I would have been totally out of it and of not much help anyway. So I am glad that Travis and the neighbors were able to be very creative and get the problem fixed for you. This is one of the few times this year that the problem could only be fixed with the video server  here on site. So I apologize.

Now for what to expect over the next few days.  I would guess that by the end of the day the second chick will be off the nest and in the water.  If not before.  They may return to the nest but it will be rare.  You will see them swimming into view around the nest once in a while but will gradually venture farther and farther away.  We will leave the cam running for a while so that you can get that occasional glimpse of our wonderful loon family.  And to give you a chance to go through withdrawal.  But we are coming close to the end of the saga on cam for this year.

What a wonderful experience it has been.  And how wonderful each of you has been to share it with us and to share it with your family and friends.  God bless each and every one of you!

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