As I have noted before, our cabin is on the lake which is the furthest south of the Hudson Bay Watershed. The National Forest Service owns most of the lakeshore, and is also our landlord … we lease our land (the kids inherit our lease). Northstar Lake encompasses 1,100 acres, and reaches about 95 feet deep. Historically it has always been a great spot for Common Loons. Audubon’s recent climate report states the loons of Minnesota are at risk due to the changing weather. While I don’t know what caused a lack of loon chicks this summer on our lake, the numbers are way down … I can only find three … normally about 10. Our heavy rains late this summer could easily have swamped / flooded many nests.

Regardless, a bit over one week ago I took the pontoon boat our for a photo session with one loon family. Normally I would kayak, but I know from experience that loons hate my bright kayak. They don’t recognize the watercraft, whereas they have learned pontoons are harmless. I guess the color theme for today’s birds is black and white!

Common Loon Family of Northstar Lake

Black-billed Magpie near my Cabin