The Month of May Average Weather

 The average temperature for this May, in my neck of the woods was 69.8F. Yowzer! The average historical monthly high temperature for May is 64F. That's 5.8F above normal. Hot, hot, hot! As far as the low temperature this month, we averaged 44F which is normal.

The loons are finally nesting!

Enjoy my first video of the loon nest this year. Yahoo! I can't believe it has taken so long, but the loons have finally found a prime nesting location and are sitting on what I think are two eggs! Two friends have said that they think the loons started sitting on the eggs on Tuesday, May 24th. Egg incubation is about 27 days, so stay tuned as the summer rolls on. We should be looking for the eggs to hatch around June 17th-20th.

The nest is in a great location for me to photograph from shore as I stay somewhat hidden behind some trees onshore at about 426 feet away.    

Here is the nest location out from the second dock. I wish there was an island further out to protect it, from wave action but that is not the case. If we have much water level rise, the nest will get flooded. I wish I had a sign that says, "No Wake Zone," but I don't. I am going to try to order a couple of loon info signs to put up at the public put-in.

Here is one of the loons on the nest.

Finally, here is a photo of a loon displaying his displeasure at fisherfolk who were too close in a gasoline powered fishing boat on the pond. For more information about loons, check out the Loon Preservation Committee website.

Fire Danger and Dry Air Mass

 Here we go again...another dry air mass with a fire danger warning. I don't know about you, but this feels like Colorado weather, not Maine weather! This month should be the "rainy month of May", not dry, dry, dry. Relative humidity levels of between 15% to 20% rarely ever happen in Maine, yet this has occurred twice this month.

Canada Geese on Caesar Pond

We have 5 Canada Geese on Caesar Pond, at the moment; two females and three males. As you can imagine, it is rather noisy out there as the females seek to find their true loves for this year! Enjoy!

Total Lunar Eclipse starts Sunday evening

Yahoo! We will be in the path for the Total lunar eclipse (one of two chances that we will have this year to see one, if the weather cooperates.) Below is the schedule of events for the Eclipse:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If we miss this eclipse, we get another chance this year on Nov. 7-8, 2022, although that one has us situated to only see part of the eclipse. Stay tuned!

Starlings nesting in the ash tree

 Drew set up a video camera to capture footage of birds nesting in the ash tree because all we could see was bird poop on our deck.

The old woodpecker nest hole in the ash tree has been taken over by Starlings who are raising chicks.  We have no idea how old the chicks are, but figure that they are within 10 days of fledging as the entire nesting period is about 21-23 days. Here is a screen grab from the video that shows a parent bringing food to chicks. We cannot see the chicks as, unlike the woodpeckers that have nested here previously, they cannot climb the walls of the cavity.

Another screen grab from video footage shows a parent flying from the nest after tending to the young.

Loon pair on Caesar Pond

I cannot believe it took me this long to photograph the loons. Mind you, I still haven't gotten out in the boat. But, I got lucky to see the loons on our side of the pond this afternoon.

They were fishing, preening, and enjoying the calm of the late afternoon.

I love loons...These aren't the greatest of photos, but they are the first of many that I hope for this season. if you want information about loons, check out the Loon Preservation Committee website. It is awesome!

Bird species are arriving for summer one by one

 Birds, birds, birds! They are migrating back for summer one by one! Today, we saw three new species: Red-breasted Grosbeak, Chipping Sparrow, and Song Sparrow, all of whom I was able to photograph.

I love the splash of red that the Rose-breasted Grosbeaks bring to our neck of the woods. Click on All About Birds to hear their call.

The Chipping Sparrows are scarfing up seeds from the ground. I don't have any sound recordings, but check out their calls on All About Birds!

Another sparrow that arrived this week is the Song Sparrow. At least, I think it is a song sparrow. I am notoriously bad at identifying birds. Here is a front view showing his gorgeous striped breast. Click on All About Birds to hear their calls.

And, here is more of a side view showing you the feather patterning of the Song Sparrow. They are so pretty! They scratch the ground looking for insects.

P.S. Please tell me if this is a different bird so that I can correct the I.D. if necessary.

First Hummingbird of Spring

 No photo, just acknowledgement that Drew saw the first hummingbird of the season. A female frequented the hummingbird feeder in front of the birding bench.

Birds and an Otter on Caesar Pond

Carla's 2011 photo of an otter on Caesar Pond!

No photos... just an update. Back woods neighbors, Gordy and Eileen, popped over to enjoy the pond this evening and saw a bald eagle, an osprey, the loons, the geese, and....wait for it...an otter munching on a fish on the island just off from our dock! Yup...an otter! The last person to see one on Caesar Pond was neighbor Carla, way back in August, 2011. Needless to say, I am so excited and hope to be able to photograph one soon!