New Season on Pleasant Lake

2025, No. 01 — May 17th

Off to a Good Start

We are pleased to announce that the season begins with two familar Loons!  Mama, identified by her leg bands, is back for her 19th year on Pleasant Lake. At the age of 24, we hope she will have a less chaotic and more productive season.

The male from last year is also back. He is recognizable from the scar at the base of his bill he received in a vicious defense of their territory last year.

The nesting raft is in place and already in use by the pair. Above, the male is sitting on the nest, for a very good reason.

He is tending their first egg, laid yesterday! We are hopeful he will soon become a Papa.

This morning the female was on nest duty. Here she is turning the egg.

The parents switch egg sitting duties several times a day. Above, the female (you can see her leg bands) departed when the male came back for his turn this morning.

He took over quickly.

This is a critical time for the Loon pair and we ask you to stay well clear of the roped off nesting area. These photos were taken from shore with a telephoto lens and are greatly cropped.

After egg sitting, it is time for a bath and some preening!

It is hard not to view the wing flapping that follows as joyful.

It certainly is for us as we watch Pleasant Lake’s Loon pair and chronicle their new season!

Thank you for your continued interest and support. We’ll keep you informed about our Loons as well as other interesting plants and animals in the watershed. Meanwhile, enjoy the amazing colors and textures of spring!

Bye for now…  Jen and Jon

Text and Photographs by Jen Esten and Jon Waage