Nature & You: Loons seek refuge on ice-free lakes Oklahoma lakes
If, perchance, you have had the opportunity to do some tent camping and canoeing in The Great North Woods in the vicinity of the U.S.-Canada border, then you have experienced first-hand knowledge of how the phrase "crazy as a loon" came to be. The territorial/courtship call of this unique bird sounds not unlike some maniacal hysteria. You would be mistaken, however, if you were to assume this bird never makes an appearance in central Oklahoma.
The loon is a bird whose life depends upon ice-free lakes. When the winter season does its worst, many loons come to central Oklahoma in order to seek out an ice-free refuge and sanctuary. You have but to go on a nature hike on the shore of Lake Hefner in order to see this unique bird.
A word to the wise: Pay particular attention to the direction of the prevailing wind on the day of your visit. If the wind is out of the south, walk the south shore of the lake. Do just the opposite if the wind is 180-degrees opposed to this. The reason can be pretty self-evident; you do not want to be subjected to the wind after it passes over the lake. Humidity can have a dramatic impact on how comfortable you will be on an outdoor excursion.
Oh, and don't forget to take along a thermos of hot chocolate. For you, not the bird.
Neil Garrison was the longtime naturalist at a central Oklahoma nature center. His email is atlatlgarrison@hotmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Nature & You: Loons seek refuge on ice-free lakes in Oklahoma
