Where Did Spring Go?

 Gosh, it feels more like November than June here today. I had a low of 43 degrees last night, and Bob, who works for me occasionally, told me this morning it was 37 at his house, just off of Route 2 in West Danville. With the wind and occasional rain, it feels like it could snow any minute. I was outside for a bit this morning and had to come in and get my winter jacket on. I'm still chilled and have the heat turned up here in the house. No porch sitting today!

If you haven't seen the sign-up sheet about wake-boats, there is still time to voice your opinion, but time is running out. There are meetings scheduled, and you will find more information on this LINK. 

Some of you may know that there has been a lot of concern this past week about our loon family. From what Gretchen tells me, the family is doing ok. Only one chick hatched - there was apparently a second chick that didn't make it, but that isn't unusual. I have had several reports about people getting too close to the loons and causing the adult birds to set up quite a racket. There is also an eagle or two in the area. A young one was delivering fish to Marti Talbot earlier this week, and she was horrified when it brought a bird to her beach, thinking it might be the baby loon, but apparently not, as Gretchen says the family is bobbing about as usual this morning.

There was also a single loon on the beach near Lee and Ginger Erdmann's Thursday. We don't know what happened - it may have been attacked by an eagle, run over by a boat, or perhaps got into a fracas with the loon parents. If a strange loon got too close to the baby chick, the adult loons would attack it viciously. Authorities were notified, but I think now loons are no longer on the endangered list, they are not high priorities for wildlife rescues. We probably have to accept that injuries of one sort or another happen and there isn't a lot we human can or should do to intervene or assist. "Let Nature take its course," is the rule.

Joe's Pond has a long history of supporting preservation of the loons, and we are very protective of them. Not too many years ago, the call of the loon was almost never heard here. It took thoughtful work and initiative to encourage them to make a comeback; but with the help of wildlife experts from Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, we are able to enjoy watching these beautiful, fascinating birds on our ponds each summer. We've had at least two nesting pairs some recent summers, and this reflects an increase in loon population across the state. Now the loon is finally off the "endangered species" list, but this doesn't mean they are fair game to harass. It may be useful to learn some of the body language loons display in order to have a better idea of whether they are stressed or just being talkative. Gretchen Farnsworth sent this link, Getting to Know Loons. I found it very interesting. You may save yourself from criticism by loon-friendly Joe's Ponders if you pay attention to that link -- but definitely give the loons plenty of space as they try to raise their young.

We have had some milestones here at Joe's Pond this past week. Jack and Sue LaGue (Sandy Beach Rd.) are grandparents! Their first grand baby was born on June 14th to Brian and Jenn (LaGue) Tarbox of Austin, Texas. Taylor Douglas Tarbox weighed 5 lb. 12 oz. and measured 19.5 in. Sue says he is sporting lovely red hair like his dad's. Congratulations to the happy parents and to Jack and Sue. This is wonderful news and I'm sure they are looking forward to being doting grandparents.

Yesterday, friends and family celebrated Joe and Pam Hebert's 50th Anniversary at the JPA pavilion. It was a beautiful party, planned as a surprise, and Pam told me they didn't have a clue until they came down the road past the pavilion and a large group of people on the JPA playground hailed them with "whoops and hollers," and brought them into the pavilion where there was plenty of food and beverages for a wonderful party. Congratulations to Joe and Pam on 50 years married - you are a great couple and we wish you many more happy years together.

My friend, Mary Whitcomb, spotted this rare butterfly on her patio door in Randolph this week. It is a Milbert's tortoiseshell butterfly (shown top right), and is listed as quite rare since the 1950s. It's decline was thought to be due to the lack of elm trees, its main source of food; but apparently the species has adapted and is back. I have not seen one, but  the coloring is somewhat similar to the Monarch, so I could easily have thought it was one of the many Monarchs we have. I will try to watch carefully for this creature in the future. I'm including a photo of the Monarch (bottom right) for comparison. Decided difference when seen together - or if you know your butterflies! Thanks, Mary - you have a keen eye!

Tonight we are going to the first Joe-s Pond Association  social gathering, a chicken pie dinner at the pavilion. When the announcement came at our first JPA meeting on May 28, I was surprised at the menu. I automatically associate chicken pie with fall, church suppers, crisp evenings and bright foliage. As soon as it was announced that Marion (Beatty), owner of the popular Creamery Restaurant in Danville and now homeowner at Joe's Pond, would put on the feed, tickets were grabbed up quickly. Marion's cooking is legendary, and her chicken pie recipe (that I believe was her mother, Catharine's), is well known locally. Tickets were sold out by Memorial Day! Turns out, the weather is cooperating perfectly to give us that "fall feeling" in order to properly enjoy what will certainly be a special meal. I'll be getting out my warmest sweater and trousers and will probably grab an extra layer before heading out the door this evening - it will be crisp, for sure. The new curtains at the pavilion will work well to keep most of the wind at bay, and body heat from the crowd will help, I'm sure. Now would be a good time for Larry Rossi to break out one of the industrial type heaters he sometimes uses at construction sites! We'll all survive perfectly, and within a few days we'll be complaining about the heat again, I expect. Vermont weather is like that!