Loon

"NOW DO U UNDERSTAND WHAT HEAVEN IS

IT IS THE SURROUND OF THE LIVING"

The Changing Light at Sandover

by James Merrill

Loon: Mom and Chick and Goldfinch from Thursday's paddle round the slough.

"This we’ll gladly hear-
a lonely, wild heart
that in limitless freedom
still finds its way to us."

                       The Loons Head North

                            Tarjei Vesaas 

Dad called from midslough, warning or distraction, I am not sure. So we moved in a different direction, but eventually encountered Mom with the chick. And we did not get too close, but relied on the big lens instead. We were very happy to see the chick had survived. 

The Goldfinch is the most common bird we see both at the feeders and in the meadows when these yellow flowers heads turn to fluff.  

"and their feathers sleek;
Then off at once, as in a wanton freak:
Or perhaps, to show their black and golden wings,
Pausing upon their yellow flutterings."

from Goldfinches

by John Keats

"Goldfinches are the only finch that molts its body feathers twice a year, once in late winter and again in late summer. Males in spring and early summer sport vivid yellow feathers to alert prospective mates of their vitality."

https://www.myminnesotawoods.umn.edu/2018/08/american-goldfinch-the-thistle-connection/

The Goldfinch is eating
Sonchus arvensis (Perennial Sow-Thistle)

https://www.saskwildflower.ca/nat_Sonchus-arvensis.html

I am still working on the plant in the bottom photo. Suggestions?

Sounds

"What a long journey that will be! You'll need some nourishment." she cried handing Milo a small brown package, neatly wrapped and tied with a string. "Now remember; they're not for eating, but for listening, because you'll often be hungry for sounds as well as food. Here are street noises at night, train whistles a long way off, dry leaves burning, busy department stores, crunching toast, creaking bedsprings, and, of course, all kinds of laughter. There's a little of each, and in far-off lonely places I think you'll be glad to have them." (164)

The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

Sunday Canoe Trip Loon Distraction Display or Snoopy Dance?

*July 16 about 7:00 am I saw a young bear swimming across 

the narrow spot in the slough in front of the cabin. It

might be the same one that drinking from the pond in

Rigmor's front yard a couple of days ago. Then on the way

to Shellbrook a sow and three cubs crossed the highway. 

I was unable to get a photo in either case.

"And then I hear

outside, over the actual waves, the small,

perfect voice of the loon. He is also awake,

and with his heavy head uplifted he calls out

to the fading moon, to the pink flush

swelling in the east that, soon,

will become the long, reasonable day."

from The Loon

by Mary Oliver

We changed our route to avoid the area the loon

was obviously guarding.

First Canoe Trip; Loon

"This loon took great exception to our presence. 

As well as this rather striking distraction display,

it also issued a series of very loud alarm calls that

echoes from the shoreline and seems to come from

several directions"

"West wind, blow from your prairie nest,

Blow from the mountains, blow from the west

The sail is idle, the sailor too ;

O! wind of the west, we wait for you.

Blow, blow!"

from The Song My Paddle Sings

by E. Pauline Johnson

Every year I leave my Christmas cards too late and end up feeling a bit harried.  However the real sadness comes when you realize you have one less to send.

"The shadow of the loon will soon embrace

the shadows of the continental shelf

as night becomes a shadow of itself."

                The Shadow-line

                                William Logan

The ornament was left to us by a late friend who loved loons.