Vermont's Oldest Loon Dies

We have a rainy day ahead - but that isn't entirely a bad thing because we really need the rain for crops and to replenish the water table, and it may clear some of the smoke particles from the fires in Canada. Thursday and Friday I noticed the smell of smoke was very strong, especially in the morning. I'm sure it was nothing like some areas experienced, but even so, it irritated my throat and was very disagreeable. I didn't notice it as much this morning.

Cousin Ora's friend, Kate, sent this article about Vermont's oldest known loon having died. Kate has a cottage on Newark Pond where she and Ora visit as often as possible, and they enjoy the wildlife there. This story gives an interesting slant on the life of a loon; we learn more about them every year. It is amazing that this bird lived that long - and he was a very large specimen. 

We have been part of the loon conservation effort for many years here at Joe's Pond, and we can be proud that our efforts have helped to reestablish the loon population in Vermont. There was a time when the loon's call was never heard here. There was also a time when we never saw a bald eagle, but now the eagle is here and part of the balance of nature as the loon population continues to grow. It's hard to know when or if human intervention is required to keep the balance of nature at any given time, but certainly the loon preservation effort has worked and they are no longer on the endangered species list. Eric Hansen makes the point that event though the eagles prey on loons, that is part of the balance of nature, and isn't necessarily a bad thing. That's a bit hard to accept when we have been so protective of the loons for so long, but he's no doubt right. "Let nature take its course," is not bad advice.

I'm wondering if anyone else but me had a poor lilac bloom this year? I noticed a white lilac bush in full bloom on West Shore Road, but I haven't seen any purple lilacs. I have several purple lilac bushes and none of them bloomed except for pitiful little bursts of flowers about the size of a donut hole. And those didn't have flowers all the way around - just lopsided attempts. I'm thinking it must have been those frosty nights that did them in. While one of my bushes might not bloom much any given year, usually my oldest bush and at least one of the other three will bloom profusely; but not this year. My rhododendron was left uncovered for the first time in years, and it is starting to bloom in spite of that. However, my apple trees started off great, but we had frosty nights and the blooms turn out to be not as full or fragrant as normal, and they were gone quickly. I'm afraid the commercial apple crop may have been badly damaged by the frost after abnormally warm weather getting everything going prematurely. Nature may adapt eventually to our weather swings, but it's worrisome. I'm noticing a sharp increase in prices at the grocery store - and I expect that is a trend that will continue as farmers have more crop failures.

Wear something warm to the dinner at the JPA pavilion tonight - while they do their best to keep us comfortable there with side curtains in place, it will be cool and damp all day, and at the pavilion, we need to depend on body heat on occasions like this. It's always fun, no matter the temperature, so I hope to see you there, woolies on, winter jackets optional.