Video captures the spirit of wilderness symbolized by loons

When the hauntingly wild call of a loon drifted through the sun-tinted mists swirling across the television screen, I wished immediately that I hadn’t waited so long to view the video, “The Loons of Golden Pond.” Simply put, the atmosphere captured in the opening scene conveyed the spirit of wilderness symbolized by loons.

In fact, the 60-minute presentation was so well done that it won first place in the Conservation-Natural History category of the 1994 Outdoor Writers Association of America’s North American Outdoor Film-Video Awards. Announcement of the award was made at the OWAA’s 1994 National Conference held at the University of Maine in June.

Produced and directed by Charles F. Rattigan, president of The Company for Home Entertainment, Inc. of Woodstock, Vt., and written by naturalist George Harrison, the video was an intriguing and educational adventure into the secretive life of the common loon.

Again, the photography is magnificent. You’ll accompany a mated pair – loons are thought to mate for life – of the wonderfully wild birds as, come springtime, they leave their Atlantic Ocean wintering grounds and wing toward northern lakes. Males arrive first on the inland breeding grounds and soon after the female arrives the birds begin seeking a nest site.

Through the camera’s long-range eye, you will observe the hatching of two large olive-colored eggs that are incubated by both parents. Now attired in the striking black and white nuptial plumage that is synonymous to the species, the loons attend to the eggs by diligently rolling them with their bills to ensure even distribution of warmth.

Surely, you’ll be amused by the awkwardness of the loons on land – which is why they nest so close to water – and amazed by the instincts of the newly hatched chicks. Immediately after tumbling into the water for the first time, the “loonlings” begin swimming and diving to avoid danger. Mortality, however, is high. Usually, only one of the chicks survives its first month of life and only about 30 percent reach adulthood.

As the video adventure continues, the adult loons lose their distinctive plumage as autumn approaches. By the time ice forces them and their offspring to leave their freshwater habitat and fly to their saltwater wintering grounds, the birds’ feathering will be a drab gray better suited for coastal camouflage.

If you’re a lover of loons and the precious wilderness they by all means get a copy of this video. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed. For further information contact: The Company for Home Entertainment, Inc., P.O. Box 577, Woodstock, Vt., 05091. Phone: 800 668-3646.

Bucky Owen, the head guide at the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, will give anglers a chance to run their reels way into the backing when he holds two public information meetings on a proposal to introduce Atlantic salmon into the upper St. John River.

The first meeting will be held Aug. 10 at the Black Bear Inn in Orono, with legal casting time set for 7 p.m. The second session, also scheduled for 7 p.m., will be held August 11 at the University of Maine-Fort Kent’s Fox Auditorium.

You can expect the casting will be constant at the meetings designed to provide background information on the controversial proposal and discuss its merits as well as potential impacts. Set your drags and brace your feet.

Come Aug. 9, the DIFW will hold a public information meeting regarding the proposed reclamation of Simmons Pond in Ellsworth. The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Ellsworth City Hall’s Council Chambers. Regional fisheries biologist Ron Brokaw will discuss the reclamation scheduled for October as well as future management of the pond for brook trout. Comments and testimony from the public will be welcomed.

In regard to the proposal, Brokaw said: “Simmons has well-established populations of hornpout and golden shiners which are adversely affecting trout survival and growth. Although the pond still produces some handsome 14- to 15-inch trout, it can do much better if the shiners and hornpout are eliminated.”

Farewell, Friend: Local sportsmen were saddened recently by the death of Jim Walsh. The easy-going outdoorsman leaves an empty space in the rod racks at the Penobscot, Eddington, and Veazie salmon clubs where he actively supported all club activities as well as Atlantic salmon restoration and conservation programs. He also was a member of Trout Unlimited. My belated sympathy and condolences to his wife, Winnie, and family.