Reflections On Summer

At this time of the year, I find myself reflecting on the lovely summer that is now coming to an end.  Summer days seem to pass far too quickly. One day I was planting my vegetable garden,  then I was eating vine ripe tomatoes and now I find myself removing the plants and preparing the garden for winter. It seems just days before that we were spending our time enjoying the sun’s warmth out on the water with our friends and now the boat has been stored until next year. I woke up this morning from under the feather comforter we are now having to use and looked out at the lake. Steam rises off the warm water into the cold air and I know it is time to close the summer cottage.

Steam Rising Off The Lake

Looking back, this summer started out with a flooded lake but within weeks water levels were back to normal. If you read my post, The Cry of the Loon at the beginning of July, you know that I was very worried that the nesting loons might have lost their nests or eggs. But in August, I saw a loon in the distance and right next to her was a young chick. Thank goodness I have a telephoto lens for my camera.

Mother Loon And Chick

A week later, I got an up close experience that I thought I would share with you. The mother loon and her chick were swimming not too far off our dock. I grabbed my camera and ran outside hoping to get a good photo. To my surprise, the pair swam right towards me.

Mother Loon And Chick Closeup

Then what happened next was a once in a lifetime moment. The two birds swam up to our beach…first the mother.

Mother Loon On Our Beach

Then the chick came up on the beach to join its’ mother.

Mother Loon And Chick At Our Beach

Notice how far back their legs are located on their body. They don’t really walk but just kind of push themselves around on the land…actually more like flopping. It was very amusing when the chick discovered that its’ mother was back in the water.  It dove into the water, almost in a panic that it was being left behind.

The Loon Chick Dives Into The Lake In A Panic At Being Left Behind

Once back together, the chick swam in circles closely around its’ mother.

The Young Chick Swimming Circles Around The Mother Loon

Then the young loon seemed to celebrate being back with its’ mother.

A Victorious Young Loon

Throughout the rest of the summer, the mother and young loon have spent their days not far off our dock. I hear the haunting call of the mother loon as she swims through the early morning mist.  They will leave the lake before the winter cold freezes the lake but I’m hoping that next year they will be back.

I always have mixed emotions when it is time to close up the cottage. I don’t want to give up the beauty and restfulness of the lake but know I will be happy when I return home to New Hampshire. Fall is in the air, the apples and pears have ripened in the orchard and leaves are just beginning to turn. Soon the trees will be shades of crimson and gold.

A Lovely Way To End The Day

There have been wonderful moments provided by nature this summer. As the sun sets on the lake, I’m looking forward to the next season and adventures yet to come.