Typical male, huh!

Did she light up a cigarette afterwards?
Maybe, as soon as he was finished, she started complaining about the location of the nest and how she'd like to remodel it. He was probably swimming off to the loon equivalent of Lowes or Home Depot. Or..... she had a craving for pickled Bullheads and he went off fishing.

Ron

Ron....you are too funny! I scared the dog I was laughing so loud. Thanks for the giggle.

Trin

Hmmmm Ron. Sounds like experience perhaps? LOLOL
Quite a scenario Ron; I can just "hear" her complaining.

I've been watching the nest but haven't seen any activity yet.

You guys are crazy and twisted! I LUV that in a person! LOL

Oh, Ron, that's hilarious!!

No doubt he went fishing......because I prefer to think his extreme haste was motivated by love. :-)

You know, Susan; most guys will do anything for a roll in the nest.

Ron

Well Susan I'm glad you reported seeing something. I had just about decided that this was a loveless nest, it's always empty when I check in. I even leave the audio on in the background so that I can look if I hear something.

I just checked Larry's Blog - you were right about the mating. Here's what he wrote...

Sunday
02May2010
Sunday, May 2, 2010 8:40am CDT
Posted on DateSunday, May 2, 2010 at 8:40AM
49 degrees Clear and Sunny Windy

On a windy morning with bright sunshine and a few clouds scudding across the sky, our loons have already visited the nest several times. And they have even mated twice this morning alone.

Can someone post a link please?*S*

[url=http://www.mnbound.com/live-loon-cam/]Loons[/url]

Ooops I forgot how.... use the bottom

Here is a link that might be useful: Loons

Wow, twice in one morning, some guys have all the luck.

Ron

Well Ron - You know the old saying - "It's the early bird that gets the ..."

4:11 PM EST She is on the float now and wallowing in circles as if she is ready to lay and trying to get the hollow wallowed for the eggs to rest in.
she keeps up a constant lite call as the male is swimming around and around the float.

LIL

You guys are funny!!

I wish I could watch and listen from work, but loon calls are discouraged in the library.

Shes on and off the float like my daughter was up and down walking during labor. The male still keeps swimming and diving around

arrgh I want to see the first egg laid.

Lil

Nobody home this afternoon at 3 p.m. pacific time - guess they took a nap somewhere else after all that working out...lol.
Suzan J

Ron...a little affection, offer to do the dishes; vacuum, cook dinner, do laundry, dust, make the beds.....hey, you don't know where it might get ya!!! Maybe twice in one day....? Hmmmmm?

I cannot resist posting this gif. Had it for quite a few years.

I'm saving the loon link, thanks!

Susan,
Just so you know the weather in MN really isn't THAT bad.
That fierce sounding wind is just blowing past the microphone. It sounds like a major storm.

I saw her trying out the nest this afternoon, and I thought she was going to lay the first egg. Then she went back in the water.

Well, I did hear thunder, Judy. :-)

Actually, it all sounds nice. I often keep it on in the background. Definitely beats TV.

Glenda, just so you know: Those are loonies. They're different from loons.

And YES I DO/DID know the difference.

Glenda, I hope you know I was kidding!!

I haven't had much time to visit here lately...I am glad I did today. This is the first post I opened and it made me realize why I have always loved it here. LOL Great post!

I can't tell how many times I watched On Golden Pond and hearing them from the front porch in the movie.

The 15 second latchup is typical for birds of that size. Ever watch farm chickens? It ain't any better for the hens - the same as you described. I think that after 10 seconds of the male on her back, she is ready to get him off.

Mating among farm cats is not all honey smooth, either. Many times, this takes place in darkness, but the wise farmboy knows what has happened when he hears a particular screech made by the cat. After mating, as the tom withdraws, barbs on his tool scrapes and irritate the female. She instantly let out a scream of pain, her claws unsheath and a few pieces of fur and shin is raked off the offender. This all happens in a faction of second. It is a cruel trick of nature. This injury/stimulation is required for fertilization to go to completion. Without it, she may not impregnate.