I just wanted y'all to know that I ditched the polarfleece today, although I did put on the flannels when I went to sleep this am. I must have realized it warmed up at some point during my sleep cause when I woke up, half of the flannels were off!

It's around 80 and sunny and humid with a lovely breeze coming off the lake this afternoon.

The loons are hollering because there's a boat racing back and forth towing a bunch of kids on one of those inflated thingys and I think the loons have a baby with them. The adults are very protective of the babies and they raise a fuss when there are big waves because the youngsters cannot swim very well and get tipped over by waves and can drown. The adults will carry the babies on their backs to protect them. Loons mate for life and both parents work together to raise the kids. The male loon will feed the female while she sits on the eggs and she will do the same for him until the eggs hatch.

Did you know loons tether their nests to shore with sticks? They find a secluded nesting site with little or no wave action and they nest there. Loons cannot walk very well and need a LOT of room to take off and fly so they spend all their time on the water. Their legs are too far back on their bodies to make it easy for them to move on solid ground, as they are built for swimming and diving. We have had incidents where immature loons landing in wet parking lots, mistaking them for water. They need to be rescued and taken to a body of water that is big enough for them to take off and fly again.

Loons fascinate me. They are beautiful birds and are considered dinosaurs, estimated to have been around for more than 30 million years. They come back to the same lake every year to mate and nest and do not leave until their babies can fly and leave with them. We have noted late born babies who cannot fly and one parent will stay with them until the very last day the adult can fly out before they will abandon the baby. They will fly back day after day, calling and encouraging the baby to fly, even though the adults cannot land.

A few years ago we had a late baby here, and the wildlife experts tracked the adults to the ocean, where they live during the winter, and when the adults finally abandoned the baby, the wildlife guys netted it and delivered it to where the adults overwinter!! It did eventually learn to fly and returned back to the same lake where it mated and nested, starting the cycle of life all over again.

Loons are federally protected. They were hunted almost to extinction until the early half of this century, because they cannot escape by flying when trapped in a small area. Hunters used to herd them into coves by boat, trap them and then shoot them. They were also affected by the mercury in the water from industrial pollution, thinning the shells of the eggs. They have significantly recovered in number since designated as a protected species. We have a loon count every year to see how many we have returning to lakes in Maine. I am going out to see if there's a baby now...


Just a lil window on my warmer day!!! Hope you all enjoyed the loon lesson!

Thanks RW! I have often wondered about the Loon.
My MIL is over in your parts. When she comes home...no one can understand her!

Why Thank you Ms Taffy... Sure is good chocolate.. you is plum nice to share....

And a nice Jager from AMN.... What have I done to deserve such... such... such.... *outta my waaaaaaaaaaaaaay*

Whew... Puleeeeeeeeeez... NO ONE, I repeat NO ONE light a match!!!

Hmmm.... why I feel 10 lbs lighter... Why, I even got room for another Jager!!! What good pals you are!!!!

I love listening to Loons. They are certainly pretty. That is one of the nicer things about down east! That and Lobstah! And of course

the RED SOX!

RW, well done! We have a lake named Loon up north and they're all over it. I never knew that they tether they're flotillas, that's so cool (no dm, I'm not talking about mexican food). They are majectic in flight but rather clumsy-looking... like a fish out of water.

It rained for about 30 seconds today and I got all happy for nothing, it didn't do squat for the temp. We're supposed to get a break in the next few days so I'm hoping to get out, for anything! Just out!

How you faring, grounded girl?

Still grounded. A bit of a headache today. Not sure if it's from the IVSM or just a tad from the LP. Irregardless I am stuck in bed another day....I hate this...

I hear you on that, I'm trapped too. But I am able to work on my dad's computer and get that all updated. I've also been mapping, doing laundry and trying to keep my mind off of some things.

It's raining now and the temp has plummeted to a brisk 84°.

OK then... I'm not gonna tell ya that we got some more rain and a cool down... I actually have my patio door open. No humidity!!

DM doing happy dance...

Geez FG... when it rains it pours on your lil head.... Feel better sooooon!

At least you have your trusty PC handy.... tomorrow is your feel better day b/c I SAID SO..... take care..

Oh Oh, RW, I loved the LOONy toon lesson. We don't have any in Ohio, just lots and lots a ducks. I remember the Loons from the movie "On Golden Pond"..one of my fav. movies. I remember not liking their song. It sounded too pitiful..lol

Cheryl, sorry about the headache. I hope one more day in bed will make the difference and you will be up and bouncing around soon.

It rained and boomed all day today and is supposed to do the same tomorrow.. The temp dropped some and will be in the 70s tomorrow, but with the humidity, it's still uncomfortable.

DM, I'm happy you are all cleaned out. I, on the other hand, could use one or two of AMN's Jagers and some of Taffy's chocolates. I think I devoured too many 4th of July Peeps last week.

Woo hoo! We're down to 77° already and it's only 10:30! The wind has swung around again and it feels like it's trying for a northy. I hope they weren't lying when they promised 70s for the whole week.

Okay, I really don't know the answer to this, did they really make Pukes for the 4th or are all you being nutcakes? I haven't seen this particular variety of the species.