JOE'S POND REFLECTIONS: More Rain!

More rain is not what we need right now, but there isn't anything we can do about it. Everything is soggy this morning - even the keys on my computer keyboard feel sticky. I was watching WCAX a little while ago and they had a piece about Death Valley being 129 degrees yesterday. That is HOT! I'm too hot when the thermometer hits 80 degrees. I couldn't manage 129.

We don't have to worry about hot weather right away here in Vermont. We are still dealing with the results from the flooding, and while most roads are open, there could be more flash flooding today as the rain moves through, especially in the eastern section of the state, and along the Connecticut River.

Here at Joe's Pond, we still have stray items that were washed away and are lodged in some secret spot. Dee McKown, on Cove Road, sent this notice this morning:

We have a HEAVY piece of wood dock, approximately 46" x 64". It is at the edge of the pond on our lawn, 70 Cove Road,

Phone # 684-3900.

Yesterday Gretchen Farnsworth sent photos and this message: Jim and I did the 2023 loon count this morning on a calm and misty morning. Our total for Joe’s Pond was 5 adults and 1 chick. We were at Green River Reservoir later in the morning and ran into the people that did the loon count there. That is a much larger body of water with no motor boats or developed shoreline and they had 9 adults and 3 chicks. So I guess our loons are holding their own against the many extra obstacles they have here on Joe's Pond.

Driving up through Hardwick and Wolcott was heart breaking, there is so much destruction to homes, roads and landscape.

Thanks, Gretchen, for the photos, and especially for doing the loon count. I know the state wildlife people depend on volunteers to do this count each year. Even though our loons have had bad luck and lost chicks for the past couple of years, apparently we're doing ok. Nature has a way of balancing, and now that the loons are off the endangered list, perhaps the natural balance will prevail. There was a time when the loon's call was seldom, if ever heard here, but a few years of patience and protection had helped the loons to make a comeback and even though Joe's Pond is busy, they apparently have adapted pretty well. Their main adversaries here seem to be eagles - and perhaps large fish.