Live Loon Cam!

[dominosarah]

http://www.mnbound.com/live-loon-cam/

Well here is the Loon Cam.  The loons have taken up residency again and we are awaiting the arrival of the 1st egg.  IBK you better get your shower in now as i remember how involved you get!!!!!  Addict, you better show your wife this site too!  Jade, time for you to get involved in this too!

[dominosarah]

So you are like fine wine huh?  You gotta be fermenting by now!!!

[IBKleen]

I haven't showered in fifteen days. I think I need an intervention........

[Jade59]

That's what I thought (you watched last year).  

Oh, I know, when you watch the egg from the moment it's laid, you get such an attachment along with nervous anticipation for the hatch over those weeks. Then when it doesn't happen, it's hard watching the Mama feel for warmth and realize there is none; just heartbreaking.

Hopefully all will go perfectly with this latest egg.  Looks all's well so far!

[IBKleen]

Jade, This is my second year watching. DS and I sat vigil last year watching an egg that never hatched. It was a long three weeks or so. Finally, the gentlemen who houses the nest had to sneak on at night and take the egg. It was hard to watch. So I have not seen one hatch yet and now I am so excited!! They are beautiful creatures!!

[dominosarah]

Loons are actually black and white but their color is so beautiful when you see them in person(or in loon!)  The sounds they make are so distinct and you can hear them calling on the lake when you are up north.  They are very clumsy on land and their nests are always so messy.  I love to see them when the babies hatch as they ride on the parents back for quite some time as they are very vulnerable to fish and turtles in the water.  Baby loons are so cute and fuzzy.  Usually when the 2nd chick is born they fight really bad at first, must be a jealousy thing or something!  Make sure to watch them quick tho after the baby(ies) are born as they leave the nest about 24 hrs after they are born.

[Jade59]

I got there just in time to see Mama Loon turning her perfect egg.  The Loon is just beautiful!  Sara, maybe this is a dumb question, but are Loons purple and pink like this one looks, or is that due to the way their feathers are and they're picking up reflections off the water and other surroundings?  

[Jade59]

B, will this be the first year you're watching?  It IS so exciting, isn't it!  I'm going to check it out right now...

[dominosarah]

WE GOT AN EGG!!!!!  Oh now the waiting begins!

[IBKleen]

Has anyone seen the new egg? It's just a perfect little egg. This is so exciting!!!!!!!!!!

[dominosarah]

As of last night there were still no eggs..........WTH?

[vicki595]

Now that I have some time to look and watch...the camera is off!!!  I'll keep checking back though...thanks for the link!

[Jade59]

Sounds darling.  I'll try :)  

From the chat on the Mel & Syd site, it was a rarity last year for all 6 owlets to live and fledge.  It spoiled me.  I am still so grateful to Teri for having you post the SPO site a couple yrs ago.  Just awesome watching nature up close and 'live'.  

[dominosarah]

When the babies are born they all leave the nest about a day later.  They ride on their mom and dads back.  It really is the coolest thing ever.  The loons are a beautiful site when you see them in "live" form.  It is hard to watch when things go wrong but it makes us appreciate things alot more when they go right.

[Jade59]

I'll tell you.  After losing first one owlet, then watching the other one die of suffocation for hours, I am about done with 'nature', Sara.  I know it's life and all, but man, I was crying for hours - it was horrifying (good word, IBK) watching that little tiny owlets legs kick while it was suffocating beneath the two older, larger ones.  Happened 5wks ago, and the vision is still with me.  

I'll check on the Loons to see if another egg has been laid, but I will imagine if an eagle can snatch an egg, it could snatch a baby loon as well.  *sniff*

Sorry to focus on the bad.  It's a wonderful experience when it all goes well.

[praline23]

Cool! I live in northern WI so I see loons all the time but have never seen them nest. Now I'll just watch and wait! The sound of the wind water and birds is so relaxing. Thank you for sharing!

[dominosarah]

The eagle got the egg???  Hopefully they will lay another egg.  Nature can be cruel.  I wonder if they mourn when they lose one?

[addict3]

Uh-oh

[IBKleen]

The nest is empty because an Eagle stole the baby. This is nature and it happens but it's horrifying and since this is a live cam it is even worse. They will try again and all we can do is pray for them. When they do sit it is truly amazing to watch them. They are just a spectacular species and well, I'll just shut up now. I feel like I am mourning for them.

[addict3]

I can see the water and grass moving from the wind, are these underground loons? All I see is an empty nest.

[IBKleen]

A Eagle ate the baby loon??? I'm scarred for life....

[dominosarah]

I ALWAYS do my hair before i come to the forum.....I would expect the rest of you to do the same!!!

[IBKleen]

Yes, we are "Loons" but no one is taking video of us...lol

[littlebit667]

whew, for a minute there I thought someone had put a webcam up in the substance abuse room!  Afraid I was gonna have to go get my hair done!!  :)

[IBKleen]

Thanks for the link. Well, now I know what I will be doing for the next few months...lol