“Frosty”: A Commemorative Watercolor

“Frosty” is a commemorative watercolor of a special common loon – my first watercolor of 2022. Many of you know that my family lives in Minnesota – a state filled with ponds, rivers, and lakes – the perfect environment for the common loon. Did you know the common loon is the Minnesota state bird? Common loons migrate in the winter, but they grace our waters from spring through fall. We met our special loon in December – herein lies the problem, and where this story begins.

My family and I go on daily walks. We walk when the roads are still muddy in the spring, we walk in the sweltering heat of the summer, we walk through piles of fallen leaves in the fall, and we walk when temperatures dip below freezing in the winter. Mid-December of 2021, we took a walk to a nearby lake to see how the ice-formation was progressing. Jake and the kids were itching to get out ice fishing, and I couldn’t wait to strap on the cross-country skis.

A Common Loon In December?

When we got to the lake the sun had just set, but we were able to see a few people sitting on 5-gallon buckets as they dropped ice-fishing lines through openings in the ice – their lanterns barely lighting their faces as they watched for a twitch in the line. But then something odd happened – we heard the long, eerie, beautiful call of the common loon. One of my favorite sounds, but in December? We searched the ice around us and immediately located the loon swimming in circles in a 10′ diameter hole in the ice.

My family and I immediately left the lake to see if there was anything we could do – if there was anything we “should” do. Some quick research revealed that loons who are “iced-in” will swim in circles to keep the ice open, that loons typically need 100 meters in order to take off from a lake (their bodies are heavy in order to help them dive for their prey and their legs and feet are almost useless on land, so they need A LOT of open water in order to take off), and that the loon was in a lot of trouble as it wouldn’t be long before the hole completely closed up.

The Rescue

A kind, knowledgeable couple who typically rescues wild birds for a wildlife rescue in WI (REGI) guided me through rescue techniques over the phone. Once our family had gathered supplies, we headed off to see if we could help the loon. Within 10 minutes, we had the loon in a large crate that we stuffed with crumpled up newspaper and towels so the loon would be as comfortable as possible. The kids named the loon “Frosty” since we rescued him on a cold, icy, December evening.

Let me tell you, the wail of a loon is hauntingly beautiful, but it gave us all chills when Frosty wailed as we carried him into the house. The loon wail is usually used to call for a lost mate or chick (listen to it HERE). I wondered if Frosty was calling to his lake. I have to be honest, I shed a few tears when Frosty began singing. Not only because the beautiful song went straight to our souls, but because I had had a hard time taking him out of his environment. Even if Frosty couldn’t survive our MN winter, was I doing the right thing? I had to believe that giving him a chance was worth it.

Prognosis

Early the next morning we brought Frosty to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Roseville, MN – the top wildlife rehabilitation center in the world! We had hope for Frosty. He seemed strong, vocal, and he even tried to fight when our fingers grabbed the bucket to pick it up. The initial exam was positive, and there was no sign of lead poisoning – a common reason for loons to forgo migration. Woohoo! But, we were informed several days later that it looked like Frosty had sustained injuries from a possible crash landing in a parking lot. He had necrotic tissue throughout his feet (dead and dying tissue that wouldn’t heal), and his primary flight feathers were severely broken. Frosty was humanely euthanized.

Did we do the right thing? I don’t know. Would I “rescue” another iced-in loon? I’m not sure. I can only tell you that we had the best of intentions. The entire experience was bittersweet, and one that none of us will ever forget

Frosty

Frosty had a huge impact on our family, so I decided to paint a commemorative piece of Frosty in his beautiful winter plumage swimming in an icy lake at night with some soft snow falling around him. Common loons lose their brilliant black and white plumage and red eye in the winter. The feathers turn into a patterned brown – gray color, and the eye is more of a dark red – brown color. Even though the common loon colors aren’t as bright in the winter, the loons are still a strikingly beautiful bird.

Frosty, I pray that you are now swimming in a warm Minnesota lake – one that will never freeze over. Swim free, Frosty!

Have you ever had to make a difficult decision with wildlife? I’d love to hear your story.

If you’d like to read more about our Frosty story, you can read a local news report of our story HERE.