Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Common Loon/Wild Bird

 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

I am joining Stewart M's Wild Bird Wednesday HERE

25 comments:

Gill - That British Woman said...

they're very pretty birds. Great shots,

Gill

The Cranky said...

Aren't they beautiful! I have to ask...were they laughing?

Hull and Hereabouts said...

Nice shots. We have these birds over here but we call them divers not loons.

Darla said...

A rather elegant looking bird. I would love to see the red plumage tho. Maybe you will catch it another time.

Darla

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Nice photos. Tough birds if the North Atlantic is their wintering spot.

MadSnapper said...

i love the sound of loons calling, have never seen one, but have heard them in movies

Pamela Gordon said...

You captured them! Great photos. And yes, I was wondering about their name. :)

Crafty Green Poet said...

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!

TexWisGirl said...

so sweet! thanks for sharing them!

Susan Anderson said...

You got them! Well done!!

=)

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Well done EG , you must have been so happy to get these shots.

Ruth Hiebert said...

It would be mic ego see them in full spring plumage,but this is also good.

Paul in Powell River said...

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

Small City Scenes said...

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

LONDONLULU said...

Lovely bird and shots, pretty even in winter garb - glad you got to capture it on your outing!

RedPat said...

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!

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

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.

Snowcatcher said...

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!

Janie said...

Nice pics of this delicate bird. I hope you can capture one in its breeding plumage in the spring.

Muffy's Marks said...

Great shots, I have never heard of this type of loon. Thanks for enlightening me!!!

Susan said...

Wonderful photos! I just love the sounds the loon makes!

George said...

These are wonderful photos of the loons. You did a great job of capturing these.

the i-guy said...

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!

Stephanie said...

I love the call of loons, very eery sounds.

eileeninmd said...

Love the loon, great shots!

Friends who encourage me

Blog Archive

About Me

My photo
East Gwillimbury is a rural town less than an hour north of Toronto, Canada's largest city. My family calls me CameraGirl because I take my camera with me wherever I go.