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‍KICK OFF! No, not that one. Mid February is the beginning of the most exciting two months for the loons of Jocassee. They have completed their mid-winter molt, when loons shed ALL their flight feathers and grow entirely new ones, in preparation for spring migration and the long flight to their breeding waters. Their winter look is subtle, demure if you will. But look out spring! By the time loons leave in late March and early April they will be attired in their spectacular new season look, as beautiful as any bird you will see in this hemisphere. The wonder of Jocassee this time of year, the privilege, is to watch the transformation. The question each year is why do they do this? Both sexes molt into their nearly identical glorious summer look, so what advantage is there to all this evolutionary work? A question for the ages, surely. ~B