Bird Cams Around the World

Still no hatch. If nothing by tomorrow, I think that is it. Maybe mom was off the nest too long chasing the original pair away. Plus the one egg in the water. *fingers crossed* but it is beginning to be hard to keep positive thoughts and optimism up. Let's see what the morning brings.

Still not hatched...

Pacific Loon nest in Alaska, around 11:30 pm tonight

I don't know if this is mom or dad...

Update from Larry...
Egg #1 Day 39 Egg #2 Day 37

The calendar is no longer our friend when it comes to the loon eggs this year.

The probability that we could still have a successful hatch of the remaining egg has now gone to about zero. There is no way to tell if the egg still on the nest was the first egg that was laid or if it was the second egg that was laid. But either way, we are now 10 days beyond when we would have expected an egg to hatch.
All observations and research done would indicate that there is now almost no chance that the remaining egg will hatch. The Minnesota DNR agrees that there is almost no chance it will hatch and has given permission to take the egg. By taking it now, there is the possibility that it could add to the body of knowledge of what is known about loons.
But even more importantly, it will duplicate what would normally happen in nature when a predator would take the egg and free the loons from their nest. As I have mentioned, there have been 2 cases documented where loons sat on unviable eggs for 66 days and 74 days when they did not hatch and no predator took them. I would hate to see our loons have to go through that ordeal.
It seems to be the overwhelming consensus to take the egg on Monday night, although many of you have said 'the sooner the better for the sake of our loons.
If she does not seem to be under too much distress, I will probably even try to take the time to hold the egg up to the camera so that you can see it a little bit closer before I take it.

So unless something unforeseen happens, I will plan on taking the egg tomorrow Monday night at 11pm. I wanted you to know so that you could be watching if you want to watch and so you could tell others who you want to see as well.
There is the old saying "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." I think that may sum up many of our feelings. We would give anything to see a little black fuzzy chick. To see our loons not tied to the nest day after day with no hope of chicks. To have a different outcome than what we are seeing this year. But this is nature. This happens. This is "natural". And so we can make the best of it and learn from it.

Is it easy? Absolutely not. But we can either 'curse the darkness' or we 'can light a candle' and learn some new knowledge from what is not an ideal situation. Who knew the 'script' that nature would write this year for this 'reality show'? I certainly did not. And I don't think that anyone else did either.

I have said it before but I want to say it again before people start scattering back to all of our 'normal lives'.

THANK YOU!!!
Thank you to each one of you who have been a part of this adventure with our loons this year! You have been absolutely amazing. The depth of your knowledge and understanding and caring knows no limits. Thank you for your support and understanding in having to make a difficult decision like this. It is humbling

video: Pacific Loon Hatch Watch