Waiting patientaly

June 7, 2025

The predictions yesterday were for torrential rains, high wind, and possible flooding in some areas.

It was a grey day; the sky the color of slate.

The rain started gently falling on the green grass, fully grown bushes and the tall green trees. At noon strong winds took over whipping the trees in frenzy, like huge fans waving in the sky. The bird feeders were swinging crazily on their stands. The lake splashed around like the motion of a rushing rising tide.

On a small patch of earth in the middle of the lake a loon sat motionless on her nest. The magnificent bird’s black head and bill, white collar with black and white body just warming the nest waiting for 2 or 3 brown spotted eggs to hatch. Female and her male have maintained this space for almost 3 weeks; never leaving the nest unattended.

The screeching of the protective male was heard earlier as a hawk flew by; and then all was still, but for the sound of the rain.

This morning there is sunshine and in the shadow of the trees from across the lake the loon remains steadfast and majestic.

For a few moments each bird took to the water; shook yesterday’s rain from their wings and immediately went back to the nest.

They wait patiently, as my neighbors and I wait, for the arrival of a new generation of loons that will keep continue coming back to our little lake every year.

Shirley Rabb