Tuesday, May 15, 2012 5:20am CDT

Travis Frank May 15, 2012

59 degrees F Partly Cloudy Wind 3mph NW

Sunrise 5:42am Sunset 8:37pm

It is a reassuring sight to see the silhouette of the loon sitting on the nest.

The mate floats peacefully nearby.

Or is it the mate?

The last couple mornings I saw a loon nearby and thought it was the mate, only to have the loon on the nest leave and engage in excited diving with the other loon. And eventually the other loon left in a frantic flying/rowing motion as it tried to get away quickly from "our" loon.

Obviously it had been an intruder.

Two mornings ago the intruder loon had been sitting out beyond the buoys which mark off the area of the nest. All of a sudden he jumped straight up, very surprised. Immediately he began 'rowing' away as fast as he could sounding tremolo calls as he went.

Then another loon, 'our' loon, surfaced right where the other loon had been.

With the jump from the loon and his quick and excited exit from the area and our loon surfacing right at that spot, I think I had actually witnessed an attempted stabbing from below the water. There is no other explanation of why the loon jumped so much and then hurriedly and noisily left the area.

Loons will stab with their long and sharp beak. It is one of the few offensive weapons they have. And they can do serious damage with that beak.

One can only hope that if the raccoon from night before last returns, he will experience first-hand the tip of that beak and will decide that it is not worth his time or effort to swim all the way out to the nesting platform in the search of eggs. There were no reports last night from observers about a repeat visit by the raccoon.

The appearance of the raccoon on the nest is one of the more serious threats that I have seen. On land-based nests, raccoons are one of the largest dangers to loons and one of the greatest predators of loon eggs. If they are able to scare the loon off the nest, they will probably have an early morning breakfast of eggs.

Raccoons be vicious fighters.

For all their cuteness with that 'bandit mask' on their face, if they are cornered or threatened they can become very vicious. There are reports that a raccoon cornered by a dog is more than an even match for the dog.

Now that the raccoon has found the nesting platform, let us just hope that the loon does not spook and leave the nest and that if the raccoon returns, the loon is able to convince him to quickly leave with a little touch of that sharp beak applied to sensitive parts of the raccoons anatomy.

Today promises to be another "Minnesota Day". Partly cloudy blue skies, low humidity and temperatures in the mid 70s with gentle breezes.

Yesterday you may have seen the loon panting a lot on the nest.

This is very normal. The temperature here got up to 90 degrees yesterday! Panting for a loon is a way to control body temperature, just like a dog pants for the very same reason.

Loons are used to swimming in cool water. On a day when the sun beats down on them as they sit on the nest, they will pant to lower their body temperature. Having black plumage does not help in the hot sun. They will often leave the nest for a few minutes at a time to get in the water and cool off.

But today should not be quit as warm as it was yesterday so that should give the loons some relief as they sit on the nest. But even in relatively cool temperatures a loon will pant. It is very normal behavior.

Some people have been wondering about a 'tuft of feathers' on the loon that shows up on its side. They have wondered if it because of being in a fight with another loon or something else.

I do not think there is any cause for concern.

I remember seeing the same thing several years ago and being very concerned about it.

I had watched an eagle dive bomb one of our loons as if it was trying to take it.

In the next few days I became aware of a tuft of feathers just like this. For the longest time I was convinced that it was due to the close call with the eagle.

However, I have seen the very same thing many times since. It seems to be a normal part of loons. Without being able to closely examine a live loon, I cannot say for certain exactly what it is. But it does seem to be a normal tuft of feathers that are usually covered by the wing. But when the loon sits on the nest with its wings lowered around its body to protect the eggs, this tuft of feathers is exposed and blows around in the breeze.

So I do not think it is any cause for concern.

But someday, somehow, I would like to be able to examine a live loon to see exactly what that tuft of feathers is. And is it there all the time or just during certain times.

Once again, way more questions than there are answers.

Encourage your friends and family to join you in watching. The few days that we have this privilege every year are ever so fleeting. We have already passed the one week mark since the first egg was laid.

But just by being able to observe close up like we can on the LoonCam, we learn more and more every day about these beautiful birds.

These symbols of the great wilds of the north.

Comments or Questions? LoonCam(at)yahoo(dot)com

Monday, May 14, 2012 5:14am CDT

Travis Frank May 14, 2012

55 degrees F Clear Calm

Sunrise 5:43am Sunset 8:35pm

Birds sing their early morning song.

The first glimpses of light appear from the eastern horizon and silhouette a loon sitting on a nest on a quiet northern lake.

Faithfully keeping its charge of protecting eggs.

About 2am this morning, two faithful LoonCam watchers reported something that I have never seen before. And it is something that causes me great concern.

So far this year we have seen a beaver on the nest. The ever present muskrat. A Canada goose. A sandpiper.

But last night they reported seeing a raccoon on the nest!

Yes, you read that right. A RACCOON!

Two people said they saw the same thing. I am not sure if the loon left the nest but it did not sound like it.

The reason that is of such great concern is that raccoons are one of the greatest predators of loon eggs. With nests on shore, a raccoon will scare the loon off the nest and then devour the eggs.

That is one of the great advantages of a floating nesting platform like this - it discourages land based predators. It is also the reason that it is as far from shore as it is (150 feet), to discourage any land based predators from swimming out to it.

Raccoons are able swimmers but this is the first time that I know of that one has discovered this nest.

We can only hope that it is also the last time and that if he comes back, the loon is on the nest and gives him a sharp reminder of why he should not be there.

But it is something that causes me great concern, just the fact that he has found his way out to the nest.

Raccoons tend to be nocturnal so there is not much chance that we would see them out there during the day. But the night is their abode. Fortunately the loons are on the nest most of the night.

This one definitely demands close watching.

There also seem to be some continuing territorial issues with a single intruder loon. Over the past several days there have been a few confrontations and even a couple chases.

There is also one other 'creature' that you have seen on the night cam. In past years some have referred to them as 'fairies' flying around the nest.

It is an insect called a caddis fly. Fly fisherman know it well and may even time their trout fishing trips to coincide with the caddis fly hatch.

We have already talked about the mayfly hatch. We are still in the middle of the mayfly hatch even though it is starting to taper off I think. But we are also in the middle of the caddis fly hatch. They are a long winged insect that is lighter colored. There are over a thousand species of caddis flies.

Both mayflies and caddis flies provide a lot of food for fish and insect gathering birds.

Neither one of them bite humans and are only a nuisance because of their sheer numbers.

So today we wait to see what new adventures the day brings for our loons.

We definitely do not need another visit from Mr Raccoon.

Today promises to be another one of those patented Minnesota days. Temperatures in the low 80s. No humidity. Blue skies and 'sky tinted waters'. Fish jumping. Birds singing. And loons.

And all is well with the world.

Comments or Questions? LoonCam(at)yahoo(dot)com

Sunday, May 13, 2012 6:10 am CDT

Travis Frank May 13, 2012

42 degrees F Clear Calm

Sunrise 5:44am Sunset 8:34pm

It is a "Minnesota morning".

Cool. Clear. Crisp.

The first rays of the rising sun paint the shoreline of a northern lake.

Small wisps of steam rise off the water and drift across the surface in the early morning sun.

A loon sits on its nest.

Do things get much better than this?

These are the scenes that refresh the soul and restore one's faith in all that is good. These are the scenes that enfold and enrapture us and draw us in and hold us. These are the scenes that convince us to forget that there is an 'outside world' with problems. That draw us in hold us spellbound.

This is truly a "Minnesota morning".

The loons survived their first day of increased boat traffic on the lake due to the Minnesota "Fishing Opener".

Fortunately for them, on the first day of the fishing season, many people head even further north to lakes scattered across the state. But on a beautiful day, there was an increase in boat traffic.

I would expect the same today. The forecast is for temperatures in the mid-70s, blue sky, no chance of rain and mild breezes. Minnesotans tired of being winter bound are anxious to get out on their lakes. And no doubt they will do just that today.

There is an old saying among Minnesotans that "You can't really appreciate spring until you have endured a Minnesota winter." And on a day like this, that is especially true. We love all our seasons here in the "Theater of Seasons" but spring is such a special time of year as the frozen 'tundra' gives way to flowers and green and growth and new life. And LOONS!

Yesterday was a perfect illustration of how good and considerate most people really are.

Two young men in inflatable Sevylor kayaks came paddling by. They looked like they were identical twins. Tousled hair and slight beards. Maybe in their late teens or early twenties. They almost looked like a reflection of each other.

Fishing rods stuck up out of their kayaks. They obviously had been fishing the shoreline.

But as they came to the first buoys outlining the area around the loon nest (there are 11 buoys plus a swimming raft), they steered out around them.

You could tell they were fascinated by the nest and the loon on it. A loon now in severe 'hangover' at their presence. But they did not approach the nest but stayed outside the buoys and simply looked. And then they continued there paddling and went further down the shore.

Shortly after they had paddled by, I went down to finish mowing the front yard along the lake. Grass that was getting long enough to need a baler rather than a lawnmower.

Having watched the hangover of the loon in response to the kayakers, I watched carefully as I started mowing. The loon did not even flinch nor did he lower his head at all. It is amazing how accepting they can be of human activity around them.

For many years I had wondered if they can really recognize people because I see a difference if I go down by the lake versus if I have someone with me that the loons do not know. I was really thinking that I had let my imagination run too far. But then one year the neighbor said 'I am sure they know us.' I said thank you for saying that. I thought I was losing my mind.

I checked with a biologist at the University who specializes in waterfowl and he said he believed that they can recognize people. He said he sees the same thing with some of his research subjects.

So I felt better that I was not just making this stuff up in my own mind because I wanted it to be true.

But when I stop to think about it, if a loon can recognize and distinguish one loon from another, why could they not recognize certain people who they see often. I cannot tell the difference between two loons most of the time. But a loon sure can. It can tell its mate from a distance and never reacts when the mate comes swimming toward the nest. But let an 'intruder' come into the area and there is no doubt that the loon immediately recognizes that this is a different loon.

Also yesterday afternoon two men came by slowly in a very large power boat, driven by a small electric motor rather than the big engine, as they fished the shoreline and docks. Once again, when they saw the buoys around the nest, they respectfully steered well outside them. They even made several casts toward the swimming raft that marks part of the boundary around the nest. But they never approached the nest.

They too also obviously knew what it was as they pointed at it and talked among themselves.

But the loon never even lowered its head in response to them.

It is an illustration once again of something that I at times hate to admit.

I am an avid canoeist. I love canoeing in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.

Those of us who are canoers and kayakers are sometimes self-righteously smug.

We would never say it out loud but deep down we think we are so much better than people who use big boats and big motors (which I also like by the way). We think we are so much more 'nature friendly' than those 'other people'.

But then watching the loons tells me something different.

The loons will react to a canoe or kayak much quicker usually than they will to a power boat.

I think it is partly because a canoe or kayak is slower and spends more time in the area. But with a canoe, we also can get into areas that a power boat would not go. And we tend to be more inquisitive when we see something that catches our attention. We tend to paddle right up to it.

So when I see the reaction of the loons, it is always a reminder not to be too quick to judge others.

One of the beauty of Minnesota's 10,000 lakes is that they are open to everyone. And they get used heavily.

But that always creates tensions.

In some ways, we would love to prohibit anyone from using a lake and leave them to the loons.

But that is not practical and it is not reality.

I can put the buoys around the nest to try to remind people to keep a respectable distance. But people have the right to use the lake as well. You cannot cordon off the whole lake. You cannot prevent people from making use of it.

So it becomes a matter of education more than anything else. Of teaching people to simply be aware of what is around them and then to watch the wildlife but watch from a distance.

I am so grateful to the wonderful neighbors who consent to having the loon nest here. And they purposely limit how much they do on the lake while the loons are on the nest. If that ever changes, that would necessarily be the end of the LoonCam. So I am eternally grateful to them.

Someone asked if I got out fishing yesterday. The short answer is no. While the loons are on the nest, I cannot take the canoe or boat out nor can we go swimming (although it is still a little too early for comfortable swimming). But it is a small price to pay for a couple months to see and help these spectacular birds. The Minnesota State Bird.

And to give you a chance to see them "up close and personal" through the LoonCam. Something none of us could do in any other way.

Today, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

And we hope that in a few weeks our loon will be celebrating her own "mother's day" with two new baby loons.

Comments or Questions? LoonCam(at)yahoo(dot)com

Saturday, May 12, 2012 5:36am CDT

Travis Frank May 12, 2012

45 degrees F Clear Wind 3mph NW

Sunrise 5:45am Sunset 8:33pm

Hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans have headed out onto our lakes on this chilly May morning as part of the "Fishing Opener".

In fact news reports tell us that over one million fishermen will be out on the lakes on this beautiful morning.

A little further north as you approach the Canadian border, they are bundled up against the cold morning air which is actually below freezing in some areas.

Loons all across the state in all of our 10,000 lakes, for which Minnesota is so famous, find that they have many more 'neighbors' on the water this morning. Any state or province that has an abundance of lakes has something similar to 'fishing opener' even though the dates may vary from state to state and province to province.

Loons are very adaptable.

But the increased number of boats and people on the water brings increased pressure on our loons as they try to nest.

Very seldom have I ever seen fishermen who do anything malicious toward loons or their nests.

The biggest problem may be that we love loons too much.

That we want to get close to them. That we are fascinated when we see a loon on a nest and want to get closer to see it better. And by doing so, we can scare them off the nest and expose the eggs to the cold and to predators who are waiting for a meal.

So if you are a fisherman or know one, remind yourself to give loons a 'wide berth' on the lake especially around loons that are on a nest.

You would be very interested in what someone else is doing this morning.

Some of you know "Travis" from here at the LoonCam and Minnesota Bound. Many of you have communicated with Travis. What you may not know is that Travis is not only a nice guy at the LoonCam, he is a highly regarded fishing guide

Today Travis has the honor of being the official guide for the Minnesota Governor on this Fishing Opener.

Travis and the Governor were out on the lake at the stroke of midnight. No official word yet on how they did. Now that is pressure to perform. Congratulations, Travis!

The Opener today is the beginning of the season to take the beloved walleye and for northern pike.

But then in a couple weeks, there is another 'opener' that adds even more pressure for our loons. That is when the season to take largemouth bass and smallmouth bass opens.

People fishing for northerns and walleyes tend to fish in deeper water away from the shoreline.

But bass fishermen tend to work along the shorelines of the lakes as they cast their lures for bass. And of course the shoreline is where the loons are sitting on their nests. And the loons can be easily scared from their nests as fishermen approach close in their boats.

So remind yourself and your fishing friends to simply be aware of the loons and give them their space as you fish.

For 'our' loons, there still seem to be some territorial issues that are ongoing.

There were a couple instances yesterday of confrontations that drew the loon off the nest as another loon came into the territory. I am not sure if this is a single unattached loon or if it is one of the loons from the other pair that is apparently nesting once again this year on the lake.

There were even a couple chases yesterday that convinced the loon that he needed to leave the area.

So many challenges to loons nesting successfully.

Challenges that we never see nor even stop to think about.

Unless we take the time to slow down and watch and learn.

But once again today, you have the opportunity through the LoonCam to get within 3 feet of a loon on a nest. And watch and observe to your hearts content without ever causing a bit of concern or stress to the loons. What a miracle this is. Researchers in years past would have given anything to view and study and understand loons the way you are able to do from the comfort of your home! Sometimes even without getting out of bed.

So enjoy it today.

Marvel at the wonder and beauty of this magnificent bird.

And enjoy the beauty of all the miracles that are all around you.

Comments or Questions? LoonCam(at)yahoo(dot)com

Friday, May 11, 2012 5:34am CDT

Travis Frank May 11, 2012

61 degrees F Clear Wind 2mph S

Sunrise 5:47am Sunset 8:32pm

Our loon sits on the nest facing out into the lake surveying all of her kingdom.

Underneath her the precious cargo of two eggs rest safely.

The second egg arrived yesterday morning, slightly less than 24 hours ago.

Now they can get down to serious business. For the next four weeks the loons will seldom be off the eggs except for short periods of time.

The 'normal' incubation period for loon eggs is 28 days. But that can vary from as short as 25.5 days to as long as 30 days. This should place the hatching of the eggs sometime during the first week of June.

So now they settle in for the long haul.

There are still many dangers and still many things that can go wrong. But all the hope of the loons for this year is now tied up in these two eggs.

One of the first challenges for the loons comes tomorrow.

One of the "religious" holidays in Minnesota, almost on a par with Christmas and Easter, comes tomorrow.

It is called the 'Fishing Opener'.

This is the first day of the year that fishermen can legally take game fish, especially Minnesota's favorite fish and official state fish, the walleye. On this day, hundreds of thousands of people load up their boats and their gear and head for the lake. Many of them will head out onto the lake at the stroke of midnight tonight to try their luck at catching fish. And gaining bragging rights.

With all those fishermen comes increased pressure on loons. The increased activity puts fishermen and loons in close proximity of each other. If the fishermen approach too close to a loon nest, they can scare the loon off the nest.

Being scared off the nest one time will not have too much of an effect.

But if they are scared off once by one fisherman, then again by another. And another and another and another. Soon the effect becomes cumulutive and the loons may actually abandon the nest if they are scared off too many times.

A good rule of thumb if you are out in a boat and see a loon nest is to stay a distance away from it.

All of us are curious. We want to see something so interesting and wonderful. And we want to see it up close. So we approach too close and we scare the loons off the nest.

So if you are going fishing or if you know someone who is, encourage them to stay at least 300 feet away from any loons or loon nest. Bring your binoculars with you and watch them that way. By doing that, you will not add to the stress on nesting loons. And you will not be part of a pair of loons possibly abandoning their nest.

One of the other things that fishermen can do is to consider replacing their lead sinkers and jigs with non-lead versions.

Loons have been know to pick up lead sinkers off the bottom of the lake thinking they are a small stone which they need to grind their food in their gizzard. But one lead sinker ingested by a loon is enough to kill him.

Apparently the territorial battles are not over completely yet.

Last night around 8pm the loon was drawn off the nest.

Soon there was some excited diving and splashing by two loons. And then one of them took off frantically rowing and flapping along the surface of the water. He stopped and sat with his head in the water peering underneath him. Then what apparently was 'our' loon would surface near him and he would take off flapping again to get away. Making a tremolo call as he scooted along the surface of the water. A loon, 'our' loon would surface right where he had been sitting.

This occurred over and over.

Finally he decided enough was enough. And he left the area.

And our loon returned to take care of the nest and the two precious eggs.

Once again, peace had returned to the lake. But apparently all loons had not signed the peace treaty and not all of them had agreed on the 'territorial lines' that had been drawn.

What will happen today?

There is only one way to find out.

And that is to watch and not miss a minute of the LoonCam.

Comments or Questions? LoonCam(at)yahoo(dot)com

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