Red-throated loon (Gavia stellata)
Added later: After looking through a couple of bird books, I believe Paul in Powell River may be correct that these are Common Loons. I guess I will have to get photos in the spring when their breeding plumage will identify them for sure. Thanks, Paul!
Sunday we were in luck when my husband and I visited Barrie (Ontario). Red-throated loons were in the harbour, passing through from the Arctic en route to a warmer climate (warmer than the Arctic, that is) to northern coastal waters on the Atlantic Ocean.
Wearing their winter drab
The red throats for which they are named? That's their blooming plumage.
The smallest and lightest species of all loons
25 comments:
they're very pretty birds. Great shots,
Gill
Aren't they beautiful! I have to ask...were they laughing?
Nice shots. We have these birds over here but we call them divers not loons.
A rather elegant looking bird. I would love to see the red plumage tho. Maybe you will catch it another time.
Darla
Nice photos. Tough birds if the North Atlantic is their wintering spot.
i love the sound of loons calling, have never seen one, but have heard them in movies
You captured them! Great photos. And yes, I was wondering about their name. :)
Lovely photos! I've been seeing the same birds recently, though we call them red throated divers and I've not got close enough to get photos!
so sweet! thanks for sharing them!
You got them! Well done!!
=)
Well done EG , you must have been so happy to get these shots.
It would be mic ego see them in full spring plumage,but this is also good.
This looks suspiciously like a Common Loon in non-breeding colours, not a Red-throated, which are slimmer, have a thinner, longer bill, and have much more white on the throat. But that's just my opinion. :D
Excellent shots. Are you that close or zooming in?
Love your Lake Simco pics.
I haven't been out and about too much lately. Gotta get OUT!!! MB
Lovely bird and shots, pretty even in winter garb - glad you got to capture it on your outing!
I've never seen one but was just looking in my bird book and Th Common, Red-throated, and Arctic Loons in winter plumage all look the same to me so maybe Paul is right and maybe not. Nice catch anyway, EG!
So glad you were able to get photos. We have a lot of Common Loons here in Minnesota, but I've never heard of the Red-Throated Loon.
I've seen loons only during a two-week trip to visit my brother, who was stationed there many, many years ago. So this was a real treat for me! They have the most beautiful call!
Nice pics of this delicate bird. I hope you can capture one in its breeding plumage in the spring.
Great shots, I have never heard of this type of loon. Thanks for enlightening me!!!
Wonderful photos! I just love the sounds the loon makes!
These are wonderful photos of the loons. You did a great job of capturing these.
I have been enjoying your photos for some time as we live in the same area (East Gwillimbury). I also take photos and I can see we have some similar subject matters. You might like some of my photos at www.flickr.com/photos/iguyphotos. Cheers!
I love the call of loons, very eery sounds.
Love the loon, great shots!
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