Carlin Lake Association

Game day----thanks, social committee

 

On Sunday, August 20th, a dozen Carlin neighbors gathered on the "boat landing lawn" for the second annual Carlin game day event.    Although lots of games had been prepared for us, we ended up playing "not-musical-chairs."  In other words, sitting and talking to each other.    Everyone seemed content and relaxed on this summery afternoon. 

Ruchs, Strauses, and John Martin had prepared prizes for the winners of the games.   So, we played the game where, in turn, one can choose a new prize or steal a prize from a neighbor.    

In the photo, you see everyone happily displaying their prizes.  On the left, Pam Van Brocklin was the final "chooser."   So, no one could steal her much-coveted  "Presque Isle" banner, donated by John Martin.    (Click to enlarge.)

It was a fun afternoon, and plans are in the works for next summer.  

Don't forget that the final summer activity is coming up on Sunday, September 2nd, with the annual pontoon float at 2:00 pm that day.  Plan to get your pontoon out on the water, or to wait for your pontooning neighbors to pick you up on your pier that afternoon.     It's always fun!

 

 

Bird news

 

Marty and Aliza reported this noon that they enjoyed seeing the loon chick making beginning efforts for flight.  We will all keep watching, eager to see our chick making that big "flap" toward adulthood.

We just saw the loonlet born this spring practicing takeoff. Wings flapping, water skimming, not airborne, but testing out the idea.

 

Last evening, I liked seeing that the loon family was still together on the lake.   They were doing lots of squawking and squealing, as two eagles seemed to be keeping close watch.   Jeff, Amy, and Carol, on a pleasant pontoon ride, told me one eagle was stationed in his usual eagle tree in Ruch's bay.  They also directed me to take a look at Malliet's shoreline, where a second big eagle was settled on top of a broken-off birch tree.   

 

As usual in August, hummingbirds have been flocking and sparring over the feeder.  I have always assumed that they were storing up for the long migration they have ahead.  But, I read this week that we may be seeing more activity at hummingbird feeders because fledglings are joining the rush to "drink up."   I hadn't thought before that the babies are also getting ready to fly south.  

(Photo compliments of Pam Van Brocklin.)

 

 

Baby's growing

 

If you haven't been at the lake recently, you will be happy to know that the loon chick continues to swim, dive, and fish.   He seems to be flourishing and separating himself gradually from his parents at larger distances.

We heard about 10 minutes of loud squawking from the lake on Saturday morning, and went down to see what looked like all three loons calling.    A boater came around the corner to say that an eagle waited and watched from the shoreline, out of our line of sight.    

So, we all will have fingers crossed that the loon will continue to survive.  As Bill Draves writes, it will be fun to watch as the chick tries to learn to fly.   He'll certainly need that skill to head south when temps get cooler.

Photo is compliments of Heidi, Bob and Judy Ruch's daughter.

 

Thanks to Bob

 

At Saturday's annual meeting of the Carlin Lake Association, newly-elected president Jeff Gustafson presented a plaque to our out-going president Bob Ruch, with sincere thanks for his service.    Bob has served as president of the CLA for eleven years, only the third president of the association.  

The CLA has only three meetings a year---two board meetings and one annual meeting---but much work is done behind the scenes.   Sincere appreciation to Bob for all these years of leadership, "keeping it together" for all of us. 

    (Everyone was chatting following the meeting, and I wish I'd taken a more formal photo so you could see the plaque.)