Lone Loon

The reality of snow flurries on April 13th made me shudder...until I spotted one lovely loon on the lake. I wondered if it knew that its eventual destination—probably an inland lake in northern Wisconsin—was undoubtedly still under ice and snow. Still, it was a sign of the spring migration and reason to believe that spring really is on its way. We can only hope.

He spent quite a while diving for fish, so I suspect we'll be missing a few, come fishing season. I wondered why I didn't see his mate because this tuxedo look is typical of the Common Loon's plumage during breeding season. But then I read that, although they're monogamous, mating pairs arrive at their destination lake separately. I guess that's smart, knowing how a journey of a thousand or more miles can test a relationship. Traveling separately and arriving in tuxedo style is a brilliant idea. I'm just sayin'.

Lots of Grebes on the lake today, too!