Sunday, April 14, 2013 1:48pm CDT

Travis Frank April 14, 2013

36 degrees F Snowing Wind NNE 10mph

Sunrise 6:29am CDT Sunset 7:58pm CDT

What is wrong with this picture?!

As I sit here writing this, there is snow coming down heavily.

I cannot see the other side of the lake. Only a wall of white. The cold north wind picks up speed as it crosses the lake and blows the snow sideways.

Birds huddle at the bird feeders - finches, nuthatches, chickadees, woodpeckers, sparrows, juncos, cardinals and others. There is a traffic jam at the feeders and on the ground. Birds jockey for position, determined to get their share of the seeds just in case this snow is going to cover them. Noticeably absent are robins and redwing blackbirds - although I have heard them around last week.

Icicles once again hang from the eaves of buildings.

If I did not know better, I would believe that I was late in getting the Christmas lights and Christmas tree and other decorations put up!

The forecast is not for us to get a lot of snow from this storm, but we have heard that before! Farther to the north and west, the forecast is for accumulations of a foot to a foot-and-a-half with no travel advised!

We got over 6 inches of snow just this last Wednesday which turn everything white again.

Another storm has its sights set on us for Wednesday or Thursday of this coming week. Predictions are once again for measurable snow from that storm.

So, what does all of this have to do with loons?

Our loons will not be able to return here to the lake anytime soon. Most, if not all, of the lakes in the area are still solidly covered with ice. I would have to look back through my records but I think that it is safe to say that this will be one of the latest ice-out dates that we have seen for many, many years.

And until there is open water, the loons will not return. They may be able to return to some open rivers in the area but they will not be able to return to their beloved northern lakes.

Last week I was almost able to start working on the nesting platform. It had reappeared from under the ice and snow that had covered it all winter.

Now, it is once again covered with snow!

Even while I have been typing this, we have gone from heavy snow to ice pellets to freezing rain to rain to snow again and all the other combinations possible.

The forecast for the next week or more is for more snow and unseasonably cold temperatures for this time of year. Nights are predicted to be in the 20s and most high temperatures only in the 30s or low 40s.

The good people from Broadband Minnesota were going to come out this week so that we could start to hookup and trouble shoot the camera and everything else that must be done from a technical standpoint. All of that may also now be in question and on hold as everything is once again under a blanket of snow.

So, from the Great White North, Seasons Greetings to you!

We are just not sure "what" season it is!

Saturday, March 30, 2013 2:37pm CDT

Travis Frank March 30, 2013

54 degrees F Sunny Wind Calm

Sunrise 6:56am CDT Sunset 7:38pm CDT

Spring struggles mightily to wipe away every last vestige of winter.

But it has its work cut out for it.

After a long cold winter like this one, it takes every bit of strength that spring has in order for it to make headway this year.

Last night brought our first significant rain of the spring including some thunder. The rain has been the big 'snoweater' overnight. But even its prodigious appetite is no match for the amount of snow. There are still big piles 4 feet deep or more. And most of the ground is still covered to a depth of 2 feet or more.

After the morning rain, this afternoon has brought bright blue skies, warm sun and definite feelings of spring. So now the sun continues the rain's mission of being the 'snow eater'.

Most of the deep snow on the lake is now an expanse of slush.

Overnight it has been transformed.

No longer is it the bright white that it has been all winter. The white of a snow covered northern lake. That brilliant white that makes it hard to even look at in the bright sunshine of mid-winter.

Now the lake is a steely gray with brush strokes of white across the surface where the snow refuses to go down under the pressure of rain and sun.

But go down it must. Eventually. Ultimately. Even if ever so slowly.

Even as winter claws and scratches to hang on. The water on top of the ice will begin to eat away at the ice and turn it into icicles and shards that collapse and expose open water. But with 3 feet of solid ice on the lake, even that will take a while to accomplish.

Today's high temperature of close to 60 gives way to Monday's forecast high of only 33 degrees F. Winter is not ready to go down without a fight.

The sandhill cranes are returning with their racous calls. Flocks of Canada geese fly overhead, optimistically looking for any open lake and actual water. For now, they will have to settle for rivers to land on.

The maple sap is running. It is the perfect weather for good maple sap runs. Warm sunny days. Chilly nights below freezing. A miracle in and of itself as sweet delicious sap by the ton is pumped 50 feet up into the air through the branches of maple trees. Squirrels and birds drink the sweet nectar as it oozes forth out of any crack in the tree. Amazing energy and nourishment for them that is there for the taking.

And none of us stop to see nor understand this miracle of nature. Only one of countless miracles around us every day.

But one of the greatest miracles that catches our hearts and minds is the northward migration of our loons.

They are on the move. Away from their wintering grounds on the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts.

What is it that tells them it is time to start heading north? Easily a month later than last year when the lake was already free of ice on March 18th and the loons were already here?

Who is it that tells them that even though their lakes are still locked under solid ice, now is the time to start their long journey north?

Some things seem to be too deep for our mere human minds to comprehend, let along understand.

So we seek knowledge and understanding.

But even moreso, we stand back in awe of all the miracles of life that have been placed around us for our wonder and enjoyment.

Miracles and wonders that are there for us if only we will take the time to stop and look and listen.

And marvel!

During this special time of year, HAPPY EASTER to you and HAPPY PASSOVER to those of you who celebrate Passover. The greatest miracles of all.

Monday, March 25, 2013 10:56am CDT

Travis Frank March 25, 2013

28 degrees Sunny Wind North 7 mph

Sunrise 7:06am Sunset 7:32pm

The Great North still lays quiet under a blanket of white.

Snow depths are measured in feet, not inches.

Lakes are still solidly frozen and cars are still driving on them. No sign yet that either spring or ice out are near. And so the lakes remain very unhospitable and unwelcoming places for our loons.

They will have to wait yet another day before they can return to their favorite haunts in the great forests and lakes of the north.

And we will have to wait to hear their beautiful haunting call which so typifies what it means to be part of the great north. The beautiful loons will not return, nor will we hear their call until there is open water for them.

According to the USGS website, the first few loons with transmitters have started their migration north. They are getting antsy and can wait no longer.

The sun struggles mightily. But it seems to be a losing battle. As soon as it melts some snow, more comes. We have missed the latest storm that went south of us and dumped up to a foot of snow on St Louis and other cities.

We have had our share of late spring snowstorms but for the last week we have had clear skies and bright sunshine. And today is another day with brilliant blue skies and sunshine.

Piles of snow that were over 6 feet high are now down to 5 feet. So the sun still has a lot of work to do.

Cardinals and chickadees sing their spring songs. Almost as if they are saying, "If we sing it, spring will come."

One year ago today, the ice had already been out of the lake for a week! The loons were back, we had had a day where the thermometer hit 80 degrees, the crocuses were blooming and I already had the loon nesting platform in the water.

Not so this year.

We are a long way from any of those things happening this year.

But it is time to start to tell your family and friends to get ready for another year of watching our amazing loons.

Until then, we do the only thing we can do.

Wait!

Wednesday, March 13, 2013 11:40am CDT

Travis Frank March 13, 2013

28 degrees Sunny Wind Calm

Sunrise 7:28am CDT Sunset 7:16pm CDT

What a difference a year can make!

Last year we were experiencing temperatures in the 70s with even a record breaking 80 degrees on March 17th!

The ice went out of the lake on March 18, 2012.

Crocus were blooming.

This year Minnesota is still locked tightly in the grips of winter even though spring is struggling mightily to make its presence felt.

Snow covers the ground. Piles of snow along the driveway, where I shoveled them, which were well over 6 feet tall, are now down to 5 feet. But deep snow covers all of the ground.

The lake is nowhere near thawing nor the ice going out. In fact, yesterday cars were still driving out on the lake.

But even in the cold, tiny little rivers of liquid water run in areas hit by direct sunlight. Testimony to the increasing power of the spring sun.

But for now, the lake is a very inhospitable and unwelcoming place for our loons. Even though it is beautiful with the bright white snow and the brave fishermen sitting out on the ice hoping for the ever elusive fish. The ice prevents the loons from enjoying their favorite place for a while yet.

And winter does not seem to be ready to release its grip just yet. Two approaching storms are forecast for the next week with the possibility of significan accumulations of new snow.

So for now, we watch and wait.

The loons are getting restless on their wintering grounds on the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Coast for the western loons.

They have now probably almost completed their molt into their striking black and white plumage. A welcome change from the drab gray of winter.

Within the next few days, their restlessness will result in the first loons starting their migration north. Flying as far north as they find open water. There to wait until they can fly further north. Waiting until their lake is free from ice.

And then the wonder of nesting and eggs and little loon chicks begins all over again! The time we have waited for all year.

I hope your heart beats a little faster in anticipation, as does mine!

Tell your friends and family to get ready for another year of wonder and excitement as we await those adorable little loon chicks. Now is the time for Twitter and Facebook alerts. And phone calls and emails.

But in spite of our anxiousness for 'the show to start', we are not the directors of this drama. We are only the audience. The spectators.

And so we wait!

CHRISTMAS Day, 2012 3:09pm CDT

Travis Frank December 25, 2012

8 degrees Sunny Wind 4mph N

7:51am 4:35pm

Merry Christmas to all of you!

Whether you celebrate Christmas itself in its truest meaning or whether you celebrate some other holiday, may this time be a very special time for you and your family and friends. May the love of this Christmas Season fill your hearts with warmth and those special memories for years to come.

Minnesota has entered what I call the "quiet season".

With the first snowfall, it seems as if the world slows down and everything gets quieter.

Everyday noises are muffled by the big white blanket that has descended on everything. And with the snow and colder weather, people tend to remain inside more. No longer do you hear all the activity in the outdoors that spring through fall bring. Not nearly as many long conversations outdoors or laughs which carry throughout the neighborhood.

It is as if the "blanket" has quieted everything.

Unfortunately, that also means that we no longer hear the beautiful, haunting call of our loons echoing across that lake at night. And for that, we are much the poorer during the winter months.

Days are shorter. The sun does not seem to want to get up in the cold morning air. And it hurries to go down in late afternoon.

Right now at this special holiday time of year, we are also at our shortest days of the year. But soon, inexorably the days will begin to lengthen. Minute by minute. And then one day it will suddenly become apparent to us that the day has gotten longer.

By then, there is no stopping it. Every day seems to be noticeably longer as we race toward spring.

And with that, hope springs eternal as we begin the watch for our beloved loons to once again start their migration north.

This year has been a hard year for our loons.

You will remember that we were able to band all of the loons on our lake this year - 6 in all - except for the chick from the LoonCam. He was just a little too small and too young to be banded.

He was a fearless and independent and lovable little loon.

So active and so in love with the nest.

But unfortunately we lost him sometime in early August. Probably to an eagle although we will probably never know for sure.

Then in October I got an email from the USGS that informed me that one of the chicks from the other family on the lake had been found on Lake Phalen in St Paul, MN. He was rescued and taken to the Wildlife Rehabilition Center. We could identify him from the bands and geo locater tag that we had placed on him this summer.

He had been found with a fish hook in his neck and with fishing line wrapped around him.

The Wildlife Rehabilitation Center performed surgey to remove the hook.

Unfortunately he did not survive the surgery. The injuries and stress had just been too much in spite of the efforts of the wonderful folks at the WRC.

After the Holidays, I want to meet with some of the people at the WRC to find out more details about what actually happened with our loon. I will let you know when I find out something more.

But it is just another reminder of all the threats and stresses that our loons face every year. And since most of that takes place out of our view, it is also something we do not think about.

I look forward to the possibility of recovering the data recorders from the other loons next year. Then we will hopefully be able to find out how they did and where they went.

So much to learn.

In spite of our anxiousness to know right now, we will just have to wait.

During this Christmas and Holiday Season, may you know the warmth of the love of God and family and friends. Cherish the times you have with them. They are all too fleeting and too uncertain, as we have recently been reminded.

Thank you SO much for so many of you who sent Christmas cards and kind wishes!

May this be your best Christmas ever and as we look forward with renewed hope for the New Year.

And for the return of our loons!

Minnesota Bound

Sharing Stories of the Great Outdoors