Counting

We’re back in Dublin, safe and sound. We had a lovely vacation in Maine and now it’s back to reality! I still have a few bits and pieces to share from our trip, including our fun excursion to count China Lake’s loons last weekend!

Saturday morning last week, Michael and I woke up extra early to join my dad on the lake’s annual loon count. It was a perfect day to be out on China Lake by 6:30am. Not a cloud in the sky and the lake was like glass.

{Our dinghy, waiting for the Whaler to come back}

We’ve decided we won this year’s loon count. In our section we counted 13! At one point, we looked up to see 7 loons flying in a V like geese over our heads. We cheered at them to land in our section of the lake and I think they listened!

Aren’t they the prettiest birds? They’re so elegant in their black and white, and they have these shocking beady red eyes. My dad helps with the loon count on our lake every year – they’re a protected Maine bird and China Lake is trying to make sure they’re populating properly! According to our section they’re thriving!

{That’s our handsome captain, king of the loon count!}

{Michael took his job as recorder very seriously}

I wish you could see their red eyes – the camera’s good, but not that good!

And then we popped the boat out of the water at the town landing to take her down the Kennebec River all day! Needless to say, after about 8 hours of straight sunshine, we were a teeny bit sunburned. But it’s faded fast in the chilly Dublin weather! Can you believe we went from 90F in Portland to 53F in Dublin? Feels like winter!