Bibliography

Fabulous photos by Bill Silliker, Jr and straightforward text by Alan Hutchinson make Just Loons A Wildlife Watchers Guide an excellent first reference.


In the Northeastern Naturalist, 1998:
Loons: Song of the Wild, edited by Michael Dregni, Ed. 1995. Voyageur Press, Stillwater, MI. 108 pp. Exceptional photographs and reasonable account of the natural history and folklore about loons; covers species worldwide; includes distributional maps; beautifully conveys why people have always been enthralled by loons and their mesmerizing calls.

Thinking about being at the lake

I'm in Mpls for the moment but will go to the lake on Thursday--hopefully in the afternoon but it may be in the evening. I LOVE it there: loons; garden; vegging out; eagles, herons, woodpeckers, phoebes, owls, wild turkeys; deer who eat my hosta; shopping at Louie's and Nelson's; eating good food; taking pontoon rides; sleeping; watching Boots; sitting on the dock just watching what's going on; hot tubbing; hanging out with Bob and our friends.

One loon

Last evening, I went on a boat ride with Ellen and Jan, and Colleen and Richard. A single loon was floating in the middle of the lake. It seemed quite unperturbed by the boat traffic around it. We weren't close enough to get a good photo. I didn't see any loons this afternoon before we headed back to the city.
This evening on the internet I came across this long article by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. It includes references to loon monitoring in Wisconsin and Minnesota. This piece should help answer a lot of questions I have about these wonderful birds.

Heard but not seen

Photos from top:
1) Another loon watcher: Nicola in July, 2005 on Pipe Lake
2) Nicola and Chris watching loons from the dock in July, 2005
3) Last year's loon family at the beginning of June, 2005



I was heartened to hear the loons by the time I left the lake on Sunday, May 21. Still, I haven't SEEN them. I was in California with my Dad and Mom from the 22nd to the 31st. Bob and I came up to the lake yesterday afternoon. Around midnight, we heard the wails. Then, this morning, there was vocalizing but I didn't get to the dock in time to find them. Maybe this evening...

The garden is growing. Weeds, er, native plants, are everywhere. There are signs that a gardener, albeit an inexperienced one, is trying to impose some form. Last July, Chris planted eleven hosta from Susan's garden in St Paul. They look wonderful and some critter thinks a few of them are tasty too. Chris also helped to divide and plant a half dozen lady's mantle. They are thriving! The double pink columbines, bluets, meadow rue, pink and white crane's bill geraniums, Korean lilacs, forget-me-nots, foam flowers, a pink primula, and a single orange day lily are also blooming.

Loons, herons, eagles, barred owls, phoebes, woodpeckers, wild flowers and perennials: No wonder I love being here!