Camping With the Loons

One day in our younger years, my wife and Ion the giant rock overlooking the calm lake, a
decided to hike into a remote camping spot insingle loon flew overhead and landing directly in
upstate New York. The camping spot was on afront of us. We assumed that it was from one of
small point of land that almost divided two lakesthe two pairs that we'd been listening to for the
from one another. We were pleased to find theprevious few days. However, as we scanned the
spot was available as it seemed simply perfect.two lakes we realized this was a fifth loon. We
There was a lean-to, and forest all around. Therethought it was cool, but the other four birds
was a large rock 12 feet tall jetting out over thecertainly did not. Both pairs were barreling down
water. From this rock perch, you had anfrom their perspective ends to greet this intruder.
awesome view of both lakes and the point whereWhen they finally arrived, it was not pretty. Right
they joined together with a narrow strip of water.in front of us, we saw four normally docile birds
We spent 2 nights at this spot and were amazedviolently flapping and calling at the unwelcome
at the sounds of the forrest both in the day andguest. They chased him around and pecked at
night. At night, a symphony of owls emerged.him. This long display of hostility continued until the
They would hoot at each other for several hourssingle fellow started down a long runway of
as we fell asleep. In the very early hours, loonswater to gain the speed to fly away. We were
could be heard singing to each other. It happenedquite startled by the entire incident. However,
that there were two pairs of loons, one on eachright after the fifth bird departed, all was quiet.
lake. This seemed unique as there generallyThe two pairs of birds slowly paddled back to
seems to be only one pair on the smaller lakestheir ends of the lakes as if everything was back
we've visited.in balance.
One morning, as we were eating our breakfast