Those who have visited the Northwoods, that strip of forested land in northern Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the upper peninsula of Michigan that hugs the Canadian border, as well as its counterpart on the Ontario side, know that the end of the season brings its own beauty, and its own sense of melancholy, the end of spirited summers of frolicking in the lakes, the turn of leaves, winter's snow not far behind.
These photos chronicle two days on the largest inland chain of lakes in North America, in Oneida County, Wisconsin, on the last two days of the summer. Yes, there was a loon. More than one. And, there was a bear. The bear story will have to wait for another day. For today, there are loons.
If sound effects are your thing, please start the audio clip at the bottom first (click "play full song"):
It was a loon. And then it was a bear. The soulful, solitary call of the loon punctuating the dawn over the lake. Crisp. Quiet.
Canada geese wind their way overhead, signaling a turn southward. We go off in search of the elusive loon.
Glassy lake connects with glassy lake as we glide through the water, heading into that secret, magical place filled with lilypads and waterfowl nests.
What will our days be, half day, and half dark? We ponder the sound we heard swimming off our dock the night before, and wonder.
Little white Cuban dogs know. They know the secrets of the forest, and the lakes.
We inch through a channel where otters play, in search of the loon.
All stands here in silence, listening only to the late summer call.
We ponder the long canoes of those who came first, holy places.
The lily pads, a fairy place, stand sentinel. We leave the glassy quiet, into another lake, following the call of the loon.
At last, the elusive loon. A baby, born this season, parents now gone.
Good enough, it was. Good enough. Following the call of the loon on the glassy lakes, the last weekend of the summer. Good enough.
We make our way. Back to the bay, back to the dock, back to the place where loons call and the forest stills.
Summer, if we hold you, will you stay?
Cry of the Loon - Sound Effects
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Comments
Sao Kay, appreciation from a fellow Wisconsinite is worth much. Remind me to tell you a Public Enemies story one of these days.
Ralph, yes, doggie likes to be First Mate and Navigator-in-Chief. Sometimes he even gets to drive the boat.
bbd, sincere thanks, and congratulations on your book. Coming from you, that's high praise, and much appreciated.
cartouche, he is indeed, and thanks for your kind words.
liza, will do. He's the best. Love the new Obama cartoon, glad to see you back at the drawing board, sand or no sand.
I've added an audio clip with loon sounds at the bottom of the screen, for those who want sound effects along with the pics.
Beautiful post,
rated.
I'd live there year round if I could.
You might like the movie "snow cake" it's on youtube
I gave it 'manditory viewing' status
It was filmed in Wawa
I grew up in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
Feeling homesick, and missing my Dad.
wakingupslowly, sorry to make you miss your dad, and the UP. Thanks for the kind words.
The way I hear it, the railroad that came up from Milwaukee back in the day went to Eagle River, and the one that came up from Chicago went to Minocqua. We've got lots of Chicago neighbors here, who make the 6-hour trek every weekend all summer, brave souls. But it's worth the trip. Thanks for stopping by.
If you convince the squirrel to run the local tavern, let me know. I'll be there.