His Compass Is Broken

  It is not unusual to see the common loons around the Bay and Bayou during the winter months but by early spring they make their way back up north to spend their summers.  There, they do all sorts of "loony" (and I mean that as a bird way not a crazy way) things like finding a mate, nesting and raising their young.  In fact, I cannot remember ever seeing one around here after the first of April until recently.  Once that warm weather sets in, they make haste in their migration.  

  Last year, however, one very young loon was injured and opted to stay on the Bayou a bit longer.  The bird rested, fed and healed but since there were no other loons around, its migration was put on hold for the entire summer.  Its plaintive wails could be heard ringing out in the night in hopes that at least one other loon was in the area.  Nary a return call could be heard.  So the bird spent the summer in "solitary confinement" of the Bayou.  When the weather started to chill a bit, I thought sure other loons would migrate here and our local bird could find its family.  It was saddening to know that the other loons never made it to the Bayou at all this year.  Our winter was far too warm, I suppose, and the birds never came this far south.  The resident loon spends its time wailing and wailing.   "I am here.  Where are you?"  Wait...wait...no answer.  Silence.

  While it is still early in the spring, it does not appear that the bird is going to migrate.  It is happily scooping up minnows and little mullet.  Unless, by some odd chance, other loons fly over, the bird will most likely spend yet another summer here.  Obviously, it has no idea where "home" is other than here.  While I am good with the bird hanging around, it has to be extremely lonely for my friend.  Perhaps his "inner compass" is broken!  Poor, sweet bird!  Here's to hoping the bird heads north!