8181-R1_LSLA_2022_WinterNewsletter_Web

on Little Sebago Lake Barron

not go unnoticed by me that something was strange with this loon and it was impossible for me to be unaffected by the obvious pain this loon was suffering for the loss of the egg. Humans and animals obviously mourn differently but the display of immense caring and loss was obvious to me. Not knowing what I could do other than be a witness I called a neighbor I am close with who shares a sensitivity to changes in nature and is more networked around the lake than myself. We talked about reaching out to the women who are affectionately known as the Loon Ladies. We both felt it would be wise to ask the Loon Ladies to observe the loon who was posted and stationary on Banjo Cove to see if there was something unnatural going on or if the loon was distressed in any way. Within an hour of my neighbor contacting Sharon Young, Head of the Little Sebago Lake Loon Program, she came to my residence to stand on my dock to see and observe the loon that was “standing watch”. She made her observations and indicated she would return to the cove the next day to again witness what she could. For the next several hours until the darkness set in the loon remained stationary. When I awoke the next morning, I was not surprised to again see our guest still floating in the cove. During the next several hours the loon relocated for a short time to other areas inside the cove but always returned to the exact location he had been for over a week. One temporary location was just two feet from my shoreline and I watched him swim, dive and then return to its location in the middle of the cove. I had some personal relief that he appears

to be well and functioning normally. What became obvious to me was the similarity of the sentimental and parental feelings we all know from watching documentary footage of an animal parent guarding and protecting its offspring. It does not take an animal expert to convince me I witnessed an episode in the cycle of life of the loons here at Little Sebago Lake. We all must continue to be observers during our time at the lake and to reach out to those professionals who can provide needed assistance to the cherished animals that make our lake experience so special. My experience this past week was extraordinary. It brought out in me feelings I did not realize existed. I never would have believed I would wake up and rush to the window to see if the loon had survived the previous dark cold evening. I smiled when my thoughts of dread were not realized. I want to believe the so-called period of mourning is over and the loon parent has returned to normal activity. At least, that’s what I want to believe!

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