One year I hung out with a group of owls canopied in a willow room; we eyed each other almost daily with tilted heads. Another summer, a pair of Sandhill Cranes allowed me into their marshy inner-bog sanctum, a perfect evening cocktail cruise destination in my kayak. Some years, Great Blue Herons play a non-stop game of 'I Am Ahead of You' as they fly from limb to shoreline to limb all around the lake. And if I happen to take the lead....'Squawk, squawk, squawk'.
This year's connection however, is proving to be elusive. Typically each spring, we are pleased to receive a visiting Loon who pauses for about a week as he or she heads up to Northern Wisconsin. This summer, perhaps due to our extreme winter, the Loon chose to stay on Pleasant Lake. And better yet, somehow found a mate! Loons are intriguing and not so interested in connecting. They quietly swim along and the minute I get a tiny bit close, they turn butt-up, dive deep and swim underwater popping back up clear across the lake. Their lyrical call is plaintive and yes, just a little bit crazy sounding. I love the call of the loon. Our pair didn't have much to say on Pleasant Lake most likely because they were mated. I remember a line from a favorite camp song titled, 'The Voyageur', that talks about 'the call of the lonely Loon'. Although I missed hearing the calls, I was happy for their contentment. And then things changed. Now there is only one Loon again swimming alone at sunset. Nature can be so heartbreaking.
Enter the Girl Scouts. Last night, the girls at Camp Pottawatomie were having a big time. The lake echoed with the peals of their laughter, singing and chanting. Girls unabashedly being girls. As I happily listened to their squeals ringing from shore to shore, I heard another sound. Our lonely Loon...trebling along to their joyful noise. Girls then loon. Girls then loon. Ahh...connection!
Post Script
Nature did not break any hearts here....She was just being very, very patient and very busy. We now have baby loons on Pleasant Lake! In true loon fashion though, they are not interested in a photo op.
