Sunday, June 20, 2010 7:07am CDT

58 degrees  Clear  Wind ENE 2mph

Under a cloudless blue sky, several loons swim together across the lake.

There are some clouds further to the north but here our loons swim in bright sunshine on this Father's Day and the last day of spring.  The first fishermen of the day are making their way out to their favorite fishing spots.

Today loons all over the north country once again get on with living their lives.

Some now have chicks to raise.  Others are still on the nest hoping for new chicks.  And others, like our loons, will simply get on with their lives of swimming and fishing and preening.

They will bless and enrich our lives with the view of them majestically and peacefully swimming with such grace and ease.  But especially they will stir something deep within us every time we hear that call.  The call of a loon.  A call unlike any other.   A call with the ability to move us like no other bird.  To immediately conjure up memories.  To bring us back to places and times from long ago.  Whether it be time at a lake cabin or travelling by canoe through wilderness lakes or nights laying in a tent listening to the loons calling.

A call with the ability to transport us to another time and place.

Even if we have never heard or seen a loon first-hand, we are immediately captured by their beauty and grace in the water and their haunting call.  Or we are amused by their ungainly difficulty of maneuvering on land.

But no matter what it is, loons seem to have this ability to touch us in a way that very few other things can.

And so we will enjoy every glimpse of them this summer.  Until the approach of fall decides to take them from us for another year.

We can only hope for their safety as they return to the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Coast.

If we are able to track some of the loons by satellite through this research project that is being planned, it will add so much more information to the base of knowledge about what is known of loons.  Not only their migration patterns but also more about their life and behavior while they are on the ocean.  So very little is known of this part of a loon's life.

Thank you for those of you who have sent me information about loons on the lakes that you have observed.  Especially if you have loons with chicks this year on the lakes where you are, would you please let me know at LoonCam@yahoo.com.  I will pass that information on to the researchers as they try to decide which loons they will monitor and which will give them the most useful information.

Many times knowledge does not come in blinding bursts.  Most of the time it comes in a little piece here and a little piece there.  But then when you stitch all those pieces together you end up with this beautiful quilt or tapestry of the life of a loon.

So hopefully, even through the LoonCam we can add another square to the quilt.

As the LoonCam 2010 season now winds down, it is with a tinge of sadness.  Not sadness about all that we have seen and learned and experienced, but sadness that it is over for the year.

Who could have predicted at the beginning of the year all that we would be a part of this year!

Eggs laid in a snow storm.  A loon sitting on the nest surrounded by heavy frost.  Blazing sun and heat.  Cloudy rainy days.  Battles with other loons.  Eggs knocked out of the nest into the water.  Possibly a change of which pair of loons is using the nest.  Two eggs that for whatever reason never had a chance of hatching.

So many twists and turns that tugged at our heart strings over and over and over.

That made us laugh.  That made us cry.  That made us sit back and just marvel at the miracle and magnificence of it all.

Nature is not predictable.  Nature writes a different story than what we expect.  And it is not at all the "perfect" story that we in our perfect world view would have written .  But it is always a story that captivates and is interesting.  And ultimately, it IS perfect.

As you have seen, the loons pay very little attention to the nest any more.  It is now just like any other spot on the lake.  And they very seldom even come up to the nest.  They have moved on and it no longer has the hold on them that it once did.  It is amazing the change that takes place in their bond to the nest.  Once again it is one more thing that we find so difficult to fully understand.

I will try to periodically post some information to let you know what I see of the loons.  But without chicks to hold them at one spot on the lake, the viewings this year will probably be much more  few and far between.  But I will try to let keep you up to date.  And I will let you know what happens with the research project.

We had looked at possibly doing lead and mercury testing with the two eggs that did not hatch this year.  But biologists tell us that with the way lead and mercury are handled within the body of a loon, testing of the eggs does not give us a good indication of the effects of these two toxic environmental metals.

We will try to save the shells of the eggs to be used for educational purposes with kids...of all ages!

Tonight we will turn off the camera for this year.  But we look forward to a new season in 2011.  So tell your friends and neighbors to watch for it along with you.

But plan on being with us in 2011 for another season of watching our favorite birds...the Common Loon!

LoonCam@yahoo.com

Saturday, June 19, 2010 8:53am CDT

64 degrees   Partly Cloudy  Wind NW 7mph

When the second egg was removed from the nest, it very rapidly broke the bond that the loons have with the nest.

Where before they had been willing to defend the nest, they now have little interest in it.  In the first day, they got back up on the nest a couple times.  But as far as I have seen, I do not think they have been up on the nest since.  They swim by once in a while but seem to have no interest in getting back up on the nest.  But even those times that they swim by the area where the nest is are few and far between.

It is surprising, but not unexpected, how quickly their behavior and their interest in the nest can change.

The power of that urge to lay those eggs and create a new generation of loons is so strong and one that we will probably never completely understand what causes it.  But it is universal.  We can simply observe it and describe it but I don't think we will ever totally understand it.

Now the loons are getting on with their lives.

They are not tied to the nest.  And they are not tied to two small needy chicks.  Without a nest and without chicks, they do not need to defend their territory like they did before either.  That has a lot of implications.  They are more sociable with other loons.  There are fewer fights.  And unfortunately there are fewer calls.

Part of what we see with calls of the loon that we so delight in is due to defending territory and protecting the nest and chicks.  So it is a catch 22 for us.  We want them to be free from being needlessly tied to a nest and we do not like to see fights and conflict.  But it is those very things that produce the calls that we love to hear.  So we are torn.  We want the calls of the loon to puncture the quiet of twilight.  But we don't want any of the negative things that sometimes produce those calls.

We all love those calls when we are 'up north' at the cabin or when we are out camping.  In so many ways, the call of the loon is quintessentially the definition of what it means to be 'up north'.

But as I have said to many people, I enjoyed loon calls much more before I knew what they meant.  Especially the tremolo and yodel alarm calls.  I still enjoy them very much.  They still thrill me and stir something deep down in my soul.  But now when I hear an alarm call my first thought is not to simply sit back and enjoy the sound.  My first reaction is to go see what is disturbing the loons!

May we all be able to be thrilled and stirred by loon calls for many years to come as we learn about them and take care of some of the things that they need to thrive.

We have already talked some about the Gulf oil spill and its potential impact on our loon population.  The possible negative impact is hard to overstate.  We can only hope that the spill is stopped soon and that the cleanup is fast and effective.  The first arrival of loons on the Gulf in October or November is not all that far away.

Amazingly, very little is known about loon's behavior and life when they are on the ocean.  The 'basics' are known.  But little is known about all the details.  So much more needs to be learned to fully understand these wonderful birds.

For instance, did you know that loons are one of the few birds who is uniquely equipped to survive and thrive on both freshwater and on salt water?

As humans, we are made for fresh water.  But if we are stranded at sea without fresh water, we will die.  We are incapable of drinking salt water and surviving.  That is part of the origin of the phrase "Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink."

But a loon is able to make that transition with ease.

It has a special gland in its forehead that is able to filter excess salt out of its system!

And that extra salt is excreted through its nares (nostrils)!!!

One more amazing fact about our amazing loons.

I mentioned the other day that there were some very exciting and interesting things that are being talked about.  One of those things is that some researchers are looking to implant satellite tracking devices in a few loons so that we can learn more about their migration routes and where they go - whether they go to the Gulf of Mexico or to the Atlantic Coast.  There is some data about that but it certainly is not fully understood.

And now the oil spill adds increasing urgency to understand some of that journey and what happens to them while they are on the ocean.  To fill in some of the blanks of what is known about them during this time.

Our loons would have been prime candidates for that study because we have so much data and background information on them.  But one of the conditions of this study is that the loons that are tagged with satellite tracking devices also have chicks this year.  So our loons are ruled out of the study.  That is what I was speaking about a few days ago when I said that there were some exciting things being discussed.

How good would it have been to learn even more about the loons that we have spent so much time watching and have come to care about and love.  To know where they go in the winter.  To know that they are ok and not being adversely affected by the oil spill.  To know if it is the same pair that comes back to the nest next year.  So many questions that could be answered.  But, alas, it is not to be.

But there is a need to locate loon pairs who do have chicks this year as possible candidates for this study which will add so much to our body of knowledge about loons.

So if you have a pair of loons that you have been watching this spring that DO have chicks, please let me know!  You can contact me at  LoonCam@yahoo.com.  Let me know what lake they are on, how many chicks they have and any other information you have.  It may be that 'your' loons could be prime candidates for this study.

Time is of the essence in identifying potential loon families to be studied because they will need to be identified and tagged by the middle of July.  So if you have loon pairs that you know about, please send me an email.  And let some of your friends who have been following the LoonCam know about this as well.

Because of the location of the researchers, preference will be given to Minnesota or Wisconsin loons and the closer to the Twin Cities, the better.  You could be part of helping us learn so much more about our favorite birds!

The bird that  is the source of that 'call of the wild'!

LoonCam@yahoo.com

Friday, June 18, 2010 5:12am CDT

61 degrees   Scattered Clouds  Wind S 2mph

 

 

This morning the pink in the northeastern sky announces the impending sunrise.

 

The lake is calm.  The birds are singing.  Much like yesterday morning.

 

But so much has happened in between!

 

Last night tornadoes broke out across the state of Minnesota.  Our first of the year and the 5th latest date to have the first tornado of the year.  There were numerous tornadoes throughout the state from north to south, with at least two dead and many houses destroyed.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to them.

 

But for our loons here, there was no severe weather.  One cell which had produced tornadoes came uncomfortably close as it passed by, we only got a nice rain out of it.  But it illustrates what our loons and others may face on a moment's notice.  I am sure there are nesting loons someplace that did not fare as well.

 

And so today promises to be a quiet and peaceful day for our loons.  Highs in the mid-80s and no severe weather.

 

As you have seen, the loons have not been in sight of the camera much at all although they have a few times gone swimming by the nest but have not stopped.  "Flying tremolos" this morning indicate that at least one loon is flying in the area.  The plan right now is to leave the camera running this weekend so that you can maybe get a glimpse of them and then we will shut it down for the year.

 

Yesterday, I received a report about the eggs from the DNR. 

 

"Hi, Larry,

I just got back from the Wildlife Rehab Center.  The x-rays showed that the egg that floated out to the lake was infertile.  The second egg had an air sac at the large end and a small dark "object" just under the air sac that could have been a partially decomposed embryo."

Obviously if there is a 'partially decomposing embryo' inside, it had not developed far enough to even be defined.  So it appears that it was the right decision to remove the eggs from the nest and let the loons get on with their lives.  Neither egg would have ever hatched.  And how long they would have futilely sat on the nest is anybody's guess.  

We may still do some more with the eggs and I will give you any further updates.

 

A couple people asked "Why not just break them and look inside?"  There are still other tests that may be done.  But in addition to that, just being able to save the shells can provide a wonderful teaching aid for school kids.  Or will add to the specimen reference 'library' of some educational institution.  The idea is to do the least damage while extracting the maximum amount of information.

 

I had meant to give you before some of the measurements that I took on the second egg.

Length   3 1/2 inches    (89.5mm)

Diameter   2 1/4 inches    (57mm)

Weight    Approximately 140 grams   (4.9 ounces)

Volume    Approximately 150 cc

 

This egg is just slightly larger than the egg that was bumped into the lake by the loon.  This leads me to believe that this was the first egg that was laid this year.  Research has shown that the first egg laid is usually a little bit larger than the second egg.

 

We are looking at the possibility of some other research.  I can't say too much more right now but it requires a pair of loons that had chicks that hatched this year.  So our loons are not candidates anymore.  If you know of a lake that had a hatch of chicks this year, would you let me know either here or at LoonCam@yahoo.com?  If they are closer to the Twin Cities metro area, that would be an advantage.

 

I may be able to give you some more information in the next few days.  I know it is something that you will be very interested in, if they are able to pull it off.

 

So today brings a number of good things.

 

Confirmation that it was the right thing to remove the remaining egg from the nest.  And let our loons get on with their lives.  The promise of a beautiful day for our loons.

 

And the best thing of all.....our loons themselves!

Calling.  Swimming.  And just knowing that they are there!

 

Knowing that at least in this little corner of the world, the symbol and sound of the northern woods is doing well.

 

Thursday, June 17, 2010 5:57am CDT

56 degrees   High Scattered Clouds   Wind S  2mph

The 'flying tremolo' of one of the loons echoes through the still, crisp morning air.

It is always so good to hear 'our' loons!

The 'flying tremolo' is the only call that a loon makes while in flight.  And even though the tremolo call is normally an alarm call, when made while flying it is not an alarm.  I am not sure I can even explain the differences between a normal tremolo call and a flying tremolo call.  But there they are.

Yesterday I spent  a good share of the day at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and also at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota.  [For those of you who thought you heard me finally getting a chance to mow the lawn down by the lake yesterday afternoon, nope, that must have been some of the neighbors.  But I did get a chance to mow it last night and yes, it was VERY long!]

Now the DNR has both of the eggs in their hands.  Hopefully, we will hear the results of the x-rays in a few days.  

We are also discussing several other intriguing possibilities.

The Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota (WRCM) is the organization actually doing the x-rays.  They are a great group.  They were the group who tried to save a loon last fall that had frozen into the ice in northern Minnesota.  Unfortunately, they were not able to save that loon.  

And about a month ago, two loons were flown to the  WRCM from the Gulf of Mexico.  They were able to help that pair and release them into the wild.

Speaking of the Gulf of Mexico, let's talk about that subject.  It is a heavy subject for a beautiful summer morning like this, but one that needs to be talked about.

Even as our loons enjoy this beautiful, sunny Minnesota summer morning, the oil continues to spew into the Gulf of Mexico from the oil spill.  It is more than an oil 'spill'.  Someone has called it the "Gusher in the Gulf" and that is more accurate.  The amount of oil that has already come out of the well is hard to fathom.  And there seems to be no end in sight.  Blame can be placed later and finding out what happened can wait for another day.  The urgency now is to stop the flow.

Many of you have wondered about its effect on loons.

Obviously for 'our' loons and tens of thousands of other adult loons, there is absolutely no effect.  Yet!

All of the adult loons were off the Gulf and on their way north long before the tragic accident destroyed the oil drilling rig and so many lives along with it.

So they are fine and out of harm's way.

But what concerns me the most right now is what is happening to thousands of immature loons who are on the Gulf right now.  Including the chicks that were hatched on this very nest in the last three years!

As you will remember, the young loons fly south about a month after the adults in the fall.  And then amazingly, they do not fly north with the adults the next spring!  In this case, if only they had!!

The young stay on the Gulf of Mexico or the Atlantic Coast for the first two to three years before they ever fly back north again!

So it is those young loons who are potentially in danger right now on the Gulf of Mexico.

I have not heard any definitive reports of any loons being injured by the oil spill so far.  But I cannot believe that there have not been some.  Possibly even some of the chicks that we watched so lovingly in the last couple years!  The sense of helplessness is profound.  All we can do is watch and wait.

And hope!

But I am also concerned about the adults that are here now, including the pair that we have so lovingly watched for the last month.  Because in October or November, they will make there way to either the Gulf of Mexico or the Atlantic Coast.  [Loons from New England and eastern Canada tend to go to the Atlantic Coast off New England and loons from west of the Rockies in both the US and Canada tend to go to the California Coast.]

And they do not have a clue what awaits them there.  Nor do we at this point.  We can only hope that the Gusher in the Gulf has been stopped by then and that much of the cleanup has been done.

If there is still a lot of oil in the water in November, many of the loons that are here now are in danger.  Both adults and chicks.  So we can only watch and wait and pray.

If a loon's feathers become oil soaked, they loose there ability to repel water and keep the loon warm.  So the loon either drowns or potentially dies from hypothermia.

Yesterday I heard one of the nation's most respected meteorologists talking about the threat of hurricanes this year.  That has been one of the big questions about what happens with the oil spill if there is a hurricane.  Most of what I have heard everyone talk about so far is that hurricanes will increase the damage from the oil spill.

This particular meteorologist felt that the opposite may be true.  He said that you can think of a hurricane as a huge blender.  He felt that a hurricane might actually help to alleviate some of the effects of the oil spill by 'blending' it and diffusing it.  It still would not be good but his feeling was that it would make the concentrations low enough that nature could more readily 'eat it' and that animals could more easily tolerate the lower levels of concentration.

I 'want' to believe him.  Oh, how I want to believe him.  But we will not know until it happens.  He is predicting 3 or 4 hurricanes to hit this area this summer and fall.  How good would that be if nature dilutes some of the oil before all the loons and other migratory birds get down there later this fall!

But on this beautiful day, we know that thousands of loons in Minnesota and the 'north country' are well.  And are enjoying this beautiful morning.  Thunderstorms could develop later today here, but for now it is like a picture postcard.

A lake.  Sunshine.  Calling birds.  And Loons!!

Almost heaven!

Wednesday, June 16, 2010 5:55am CDT

59 degrees     Foggy    Calm

What a difference a day makes!

Where yesterday there sat a beautiful loon, today there is only a pile of cattails and other weeds.

From life to lifeless.

There is still a certain beauty to the loon nest but it is totally different than it was just 24 hours ago.  Even though we knew that there was no egg left on the nest yesterday and therefore there was no hope of a new loon chick this year, we still had our loon.

The beautiful, faithful loon that we had come to love.

Now there is a sense of melancholy when we look at the nest.

Somewhere out in the banks of fog that cover the lake this morning, our pair of loons are going on with their lives.  A single call of a loon comes through the thick fog to let us know that they are still there.  That haunting call that changes everything!  That stands out so distinctively from all the other sounds.  From all the other birds.

The call that stirs something deep within us.  Something almost primeval.

That brings back memories of a childhood in a cabin on a northern lake.  Or memories of a camping trip in the wilderness.  Of laying in the tent and hearing loons calling.

No other call of any bird has the power to move us in quite the same way.

And combine the call of a loon with the fog on the lake this morning, there is a something that moves us deeply.  A mood, a mist and a melancholy.

What could be more perfect?  It brings healing to the soul.

While we would love to have our loon sitting in full view for us on the nest, we take comfort in the fact that we know they are where they are meant to be.  Swimming freely somewhere out on the lake on this foggy morning.  Doing what they were created to do.

So this morning, rather than think about too much else or think too deeply, we simply settle back and drink in all the sights and sounds around us.  To enjoy the moment.  To smile.  To hear our loon calling somewhere out in the mist.  Tomorrow will have enough problems of its own.

This moment is perfect.

A lake, a loon and a brooding fog.