Having been out of town last week, I'm still playing catch-up with
the birds that were found while I was away. That certainly makes it
exciting to return to our birdy area! Today my target was the Pacific
Loon discovered by Elisa Enders at the Sherwood Lakes in Virginia
Beach. I drove there after my walk in the Dismal Swamp and thankfully
the sun had come out giving excellent lighting conditions. I scoped the
north lake from its south shore with the light to my back. There were
nine loons on the lake, most of them diving. That made it very
frustrating to follow any particular loon. I'd no sooner think I had
found the Pacific Loon when that loon would dive and wouldn't
necessarily come up where it had gone down, requiring me to find the
bird again. After a longer period than I thought it would take, I was
satisfied with the looks I had. The Pacific Loon was too far away for a
decent photo and going around to the other side would have provided too
much backlight.
As a note let me say that there are a variety of loon plumages on
display at Sherwood Lakes. To make sure you have the Pacific Loon look
for a loon with the eye with no eyering surrounded by the dark hood.
Also there should be no pale/white indent on the dark nape at the side
of the neck. The bird is noticeably smaller than any of the Common
Loons that are also there and has a smaller bill. But with all the
diving these birds are doing, it's easy to get mixed up about which bird
you're following.
Nice bird! Thanks Elisa.
Bob
