Dead in the water...

Once again (10 out of 11 years) Lake of the Woods water levels have risen significantly. This rise swamps out the low lying loon nest.  Our nest is probably about 2 ft under water by now. So sad. There is a small chance the pair might try one more time but time is flying by. Hopefully the pair will stay together.  The accepted theory was that Loons mate for life. This is relatively true; unless they have trouble having young.  It is at that point they might leave to find another partner.  I'm not certain the 2 loons in our bay are the exact same 2 we met 12 years ago or not. There was one year that there was only one loon in the bay (after 2 failed nesting attempts the previous year) so all bets are off.

I'm including a shot of the neighbour's dock. The top of the dock is usually about a meter above "normal" lake levels.  The cans on top of the dock are full of water and are trying desperately to hold the top of the dock in place, above the cribs below.

Okay, let's try this again! My loon pair trying to have young again!

Two weeks ago there was just some casual dating happening in our bay.  This last weekend was a great surprise as we see there is a nest with the loons (they take turns) sitting on the eggs!  I pedal boated reasonably close and grabbed some photographs of the happy parent(s).  Funny thing is that they'll leave the nest for hours on end and then sit on them for hours on end. I guess they know what they're doing.

30 days is the average incubation period, so if all goes well, there might be some baby loons in our bay come the end of June! I won't get my hopes up as the Lake of the Woods water level has been steadily rising and only a few inches more will swamp the nest.  The nests are pretty primitive. The loons basically sit and then drag mud and sticks from around them, into the nest.

For those unfamiliar with loons, they have to nest right by the water as they cannot walk on land. They drag themselves onto the make-shift nest and drag themselves back into the lake to feed. They're back legs are too far placed in their body to walk on land.  This unique feature, however, makes them incredible swimmers!

Stay tuned!  Next post will be in two weeks when we return, hopefully to see them still nesting.
More photographs of the 2014 Loon talent show are on my website.