Wednesday, June 1, 2011 8:44pm CDT

 

65 degrees  Clear  Calm

 

 

We are 10 minutes away from the sunset on an absolutely spectacular and perfect day.

 

Now we enter that long, magical twilight time that so many parts of the country do not know.

 

But for now, everything is perfect.

 

A quiet calm evening with the sky reflected in the water.

 

The colors of the sunset paint the western sky.

 

We have two beautiful little loon chicks.  Both healthy and active.  And one of them has already spent a night on the water and survived it.

 

The other little loon is experiencing absolutely everything for the first time!

 

The first chick has been in the water for the better share of the day and at 8pm tonight, the second chick jumped in the water for the first time and our loon family swam away!

 

Are they gone for good?

 

Or will they come back to visit the nest?

 

They are now swimming out beyond the swimming platform that you have seen drift in and out of the picture off to the left.

 

The scene could not be more perfect.  A glassy lake.  A clear sky.  A setting sun.  The sky painted in a infinite palette of colors.  And 4 loons swimming.  Two big ones and two little ones.

 

This is the moment we have waited for ever since they laid the eggs.

 

No, this is the moment we have waited for since last year.

 

NO!  This is the moment we have waited for the last two years when we last had chicks that hatched.  And now we have it.  How blessed we are to be able to witness this wonderful miracle of life.

 

I am still overwhelmed by the realization that 4 short weeks ago tonight, the first egg was laid.  Only an egg.  Not unlike the ones I have in my refrigerator right now!  And now in those 4 short weeks we have wonderful little LIFE that can navigate on its own.

 

I challenge the smartest person on earth to make life as cute and adorable as a loon chick - or just ANY life - if I give them an egg.  It is a miracle of creation that is beyond comprehension.  We don't even understand what it is, let alone how to DO it.

 

And so we have two miracles swimming with their parents.

 

As I have been writing this, one of the loons came up to the nest with a chick on its back.  It got up onto the nest and the chick went flying off into the water.

 

I could see it swimming alongside the nest cheeping and trying to figure out how to get up.

 

Then I heard a BIG splash and my heart went to my throat.  The loon got off the nest and swam over to its mate.   My mind immediately went back a few years when we lost one of the chicks within 15 minutes of it getting in the water.  Probably to a large fish.

 

That is all I could think about.

 

I went outside to look.  Both loons were swimming away from the  and they were both in a chorus of tremolos.

 

But I could see only one baby!  ONE!

 

No!  Did we lose one of the chicks?!

 

Had a bass or a northern taken one of the chicks?  Both fish love to sit under a dock or anything like the loon nest that gives them shelter.  They wait for something to drop into the water or come swimming by where they can ambush them.  I could not bear the thought that a big fish had taken one of our little loons!

 

After a couple minutes, the second chick appeared from somewhere.  And my heart relaxed.

 

They were both there.  And alive.

 

As I walked toward the lake, I saw a big boat with 5 people fishing very close into shore.  They obviously had come between the nest and the shore.  Was this the big splash I heard?  I don't think that they had done anything and were just either unaware or oblivious to the nest even being there.

 

So tonight the loons swim not too far from the nest.  And then chicks are riding on their backs.  One on each loon.

 

Keep a sharp eye out over the next few days to see if they swim by the nest.  Or if we are really lucky that they may revisit the nest for a few minutes.

 

You may want to watch for something else.  The mayfly hatch seems to have begun in earnest today.  We have had a few over the last couple days.  But there were many more of them today.  So you may see them on the camera over the next couple days.

 

But gradually they will venture further and further from the nest and the views will become less and less.  We will leave the cam on for a few days for you to hopefully catch a glimpse and then finally we will shut it down for the year.

 

But I think once again that MN Bound will leave the chat room open for you to get together and visit.

 

This has truly become a unique family who are so special - YOU are special.  Thank You!

 

 

Questions or Comments?   LoonCam@yahoo.com

Wednesday, June 1, 2011 12:28pm CDT

 

69 degrees   Sunny   Wind  15mph W

 

 

Today is a good day.

 

No, today is a VERY good day!

 

We have a SECOND CHICK!

 

I was gone for a little while so I missed the actual hatching.  But according to people in the Chat Room, the second chick hatched a little after 11am.  Here is a video that one of the people posted in the chatroom that shows both adult loons, the first chick and it shows the second chick struggling to get out of its egg shell.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxPifOOQr4Q

 

In the video, the adult gets off the nest at about the 1 minute mark and you can clearly see the second chick hatching.

 

So it is a very good day!

 

Two eggs.  Two little loons that have hatched and seem to be healthy and in good shape.

 

Some of you will remember last year when we waited for the two eggs to hatch.

 

And we waited.  And we waited.

 

The expected hatch date came and went.  After waiting for some time, the decision was made to take the eggs since it was obvious that they were not going to hatch.  The parents faithfully kept coming back to the nest to sit on eggs that were not going to hatch.  The bond with the nest was strong.

 

In a normal nest on land, a predator like a raccoon or a skunk would have eaten the eggs and broken that bond with the nest and let the loons get on with their lives.  And so we became the ultimate predator and took the eggs to break the bond with the nest and the loons could get on with their lives.

 

But that was last year.  

 

What a difference a year makes.  Now we have two new 'impossibly cute' little loon chicks to carry on the next generation.  And to make sure that we have loons for years to come.

 

Loons are long-lived birds.  No one knows for sure how long they live but it is felt that they live for 25 to 30 years.  Very long lives compared to most birds.

 

But for our two new little loons, they still face many challenges to grow up to be full-fledged big loons.

 

The next two weeks are especially critical.

 

Danger awaits them at every turn.

 

My concern about the first one jumping in the water last night was that he would get separated from mom or dad in the darkness and the wind and big waves.  Separation from mom or dad could spell doom.

 

There are big things under the surface of the water and other things that 'go bump in the night'.

 

Northerns and muskies and bass and snapping turtles love to make a snack of little loons.  Several years ago we lost a loon chick shortly after he got in the water.  I cannot say for sure what happened because I did not see it happen but I think maybe a northern or bass got him.

 

So my fear last night was that our brave little loon might not be here when the sun came up this morning.

 

But he was!

 

Alive and doing well and frisky as could be.

 

But northerns and muskies and bass and snapping turtles continue to be a danger to our two little loons.  And now during the daytime, they also face danger from the air.  Eagles or seagulls or other predatory birds can scoop them up all too quickly.

 

It isn't an easy life for our little loons. 

 

They will need to stay close to mom and dad for protection.  And  for food.

 

During these first two weeks, the little loon chicks will often ride on the backs of mom or dad.

 

This does several things.  It keeps them protected from predators from above and below.  And it helps to keep them warm.

 

The adult will almost exclusively feed the chicks a diet of very small minnows and bugs for the first several weeks.  Gradually the chicks will be able to catch some of their own food but it will not be for a number of weeks yet.  So if a chick gets separated from its parents, not only is it vulnerable to predators but it may starve to death because it is unable to catch its own food.

 

Another threat that young loon chicks face is from boats and jet skis.

 

While little loons can swim very well almost from the minute they are born, they are not good at diving.

 

Those little balls of fluff are just like a cork.  They pop right back up to the surface.

 

So if a fast boat comes along, the adults may be able to dive to get out of harm's way, but the little chick cannot get far enough under water and may be hit by the boat.  So if you or your friends are out in a boat, be aware of loons and this time of year and be especially aware of little baby loons that are at your mercy.

 

It is not until the loons are several weeks old that they are able to dive to get out of danger.

 

But for now, our babies are safe with mom and dad.

 

And today is a very good day!

 

 

[Let me say something once again today because most people will leave here once the loons leave.  You are such a wonderful and special bunch of people.  Your love and caring for these loons AND each other is a wonder to behold.  You are all so kind and so supportive and so appreciative.  It gives hope not only for loons but for all of us.  And for that I say a big THANK YOU!!]

Wednesday, June 1, 2011 5:31am CDT

 

 

54 degrees  Clear  Wind 5mph W

 

 

There is one question on everyone's mind, including my own.

 

What happened to the brave little chick who jumped into the water in the dark last night?

 

I am happy to report to you that I have seen him swimming with the male not too far from the nest just minutes ago!

 

HE IS SAFE!

 

So all of your/our hearts can relax and rejoice.

 

The plucky little loon has made it through the night and he seems to be doing well.

 

The male just let out several yodels that he broadcast to the whole lake.  And there was our little loonling swimming bravely beside him.  Apparently strong and doing well.

 

I know I went to bed with a heavy heart last night.  Actually not too many hours ago!  Wondering if he would make it through the night.

 

But he has!

 

So now we wait for the other egg to hatch and hopefully see TWO healthy little loonlings swimming around.

 

Today is a good day!

 

Wednesday, June 1, 2011 1:23am CDT

 

 

After resumption of more calls from the nest and the lake, mostly wails, the loon on the nest got off and into the lake.

 

I really could not see anything on the exposed egg that indicated hatching.

 

However, when she came back and rolled the egg, I am almost positive that I can see a pip hole in the egg.

 

The plaintive wails continue from both on the nest and on the lake.

 

But the best news is that I am almost positive about also hearing the chick.  I could not believe it at first and did not want to get my hopes up.

 

But it is there!

 

I have not seen the chick nor have I seen the other adult loon.

 

But I do not think I am imagining what I am hearing.  I am close to 100% sure that the chick is somewhere close by.

 

I would like it to be on the back of the other loon rather than swimming in the water.  He is capable of swimming but there are too many big things in the dark that would love a little loon snack.  So I don't want him swimming.

 

The loon on the nest continues very plaintive calls.  And the chirping continues.

 

But I feel better going to bed now 'knowing' that I have heard the chick and he is obviously still alive even though I have not seen him with my own eyeballs.  I can maybe sleep a little bit at least.

 

Stay safe little loon until morning comes!

Tuesday, May 31, 2011 10:55pm CDT

61 degrees   Cloudy   Wind 18mph W

 

 

Does anyone know a good way to restart a heart?!

 

This is WAY more drama than any of us need.

 

For those who have missed the action, let me briefly recap.

 

Shortly after 9pm, there were numerous calls from on the lake, possibly flying yodels from another loon, and on the nest including yodels and tremolos.  The male was on the nest at the time and was answering with his own yodels. 

 

The mate appeared alongside the nest and also started calling.

 

When the male left the nest to join the other loon, the little chick that was born this afternoon followed along and jumped in the lake.

 

I hope that it had found its way onto the parents back to safely ride out the night there.

 

Then at 10 pm there were once again many, many calls.  From both on the lake and on the nest.  Wails and tremolos and yodels.  Yodels from another male that were much to close to the nest for comfort.

 

In the dark you could see another loon floating near the nest, obviously the mate.  I cannot see if she has the chick but as she swims around the nest I can HEAR the chick.  He obviously is very close.  Is he in the water?  If he was on her back I do not think he would call.

 

After 5 minutes of constant calling with calls coming from other loons as well, the female gets up on the front edge of the nest.  She obviously does not have the chick.

 

I can hear the chick chirping with a somewhat desperate sound to his chirp.  Is he trying to get up on the nest?  There is a 'chick ramp' for him to use if he can find it in the dark.

 

The male answers with several quiet hoots and then finally goes off the back of the nest into the water.  And then the female follows him off the back of the nest.

 

The egg is left alone.  And the chick is no where to be seen.  The egg on the nest could possibly have a pip in it.  It is hard to tell.

 

After another 5 minutes of constant calling, one of the loons makes it back up on the nest, adjusts the egg and then settles down.

 

It is quiet for a while.  No sound of the chick.  No sighting of the other loon.  Hopefully the chick has once again found a back to ride on.

 

Then the wails start again.  From the nest.  Answered from the lake.  They continue for a full 10 minutes.  Not 'normal' wails.  They had a very plaintive sound to them which made it even harder to watch and listen.

 

If only the chick was on the nest or where we could see him, all of us would feel better.  But alas as of now it is not to be.  There is the occasional plaintive wail from the nest  and an answer from the lake and some mewing sounds from the nest.

 

Sometimes it is easier to NOT know what is going on.

 

All we can do is hope for our little chick.  Hopefully he is safe and warm riding on the back of mom or dad.  And the best news would be when first light comes we see him once again.  How quickly our hearts bond with him in a matter of only a few hours.  He was probably less than 10 hours old when he jumped into the lake!

 

So if you have survived all of this so far, you can be assured that you have a very strong heart and have had a better stress test than anything your doctor could give you!

 

So let us look forward to morning light.

 

And our little loon!  Safe and sound.

 

 

Questions or Comments?   LoonCam@yahoo.com