68 degrees F Cloudy Wind Calm
Sunrise 7:04 am CDT Sunset 7:08 pm CDT
When I look back, I can't believe that it has been over 2 months since I last updated you on our loons.
There has been a lot that has happened on all fronts during that time.
The most important things first - our two loon 'chicks' are doing well. Active and thriving.
I thought that the adults had left back in August because I had not seen them for several weeks.
But then a couple weeks ago, I saw one of the adults with both of the chicks. So at least one of the adults was still here, although I am sure they will be starting their long migration any day now. What we have learned over the last few years through the satellite tracking, all of our Minnesota and Wisconsin adult loons headed over to Lake Michigan where they spent a couple weeks feeding before they went down to the Gulf of Mexico.
And then in one of the many miracles of loons, the young do not leave until about a month after the adults. Never having been down to the Gulf of Mexico and no apparent way of even knowing about it, the young find their way on their own down to the Gulf!
We have had some very unusual weather for late September. For the last 3 days, including today, our temperatures have been over 90 degrees with high humidity! This is more like the 'dog days' of August than late September.
We are now at the Fall Equinox where the length of daylight and night is almost exactly equal.
I saw both of the chicks again last night and they were both doing well. I did not see either of the adults.
And then again this afternoon we were out on the lake and saw one of the chicks. And we got DUMPED on with one of the heaviest rainstorms that we have had all summer. And we were not even supposed to get any rain until late tonight.
That rainstorm finally started to lower our temperatures. So right now it is a more normal temperature in the 60s.
That change in temperature may remind our loons that it is that time of year for them to head south. Those of you who live in the South or on the Gulf should see our loons beginning to arrive for the winter very soon. Our loss is your gain.
So we enter what I call the "silent season", that time of year when we don't hear our beloved loons until next spring.
Copyright 2017 Larry R Backlund