Common Loon

[smead]

I may have seen one today!!

Very pointed beak...only head neck and a bit of breast above water...was diving, then flew off away from me. Too far away to see any coloration.

Thought at first that it was a doubled crested cormorant...but then I heard this off in the distance:

Tremolo:

www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/loon/identification.html

Checking ODNR, Loons migrate through, but vocalization is supposedly rare. Cormorants don't make anywhere near the sounds I heard.

www.dnr.state.oh.us/Home/species_a_to_z/SpeciesGuideIndex/commonloon/tabid/6836/Default.aspx

www.dnr.state.oh.us/Home/species_a_to_z/SpeciesGuideIndex/doublecrestedcormorant/tabid/6600/Default.aspx

[Eugene]

Very cool! I've seen loons only occasionally in Ohio during spring and more often fall migrations. Where I've seen them on the water in spring, it has only been on good-size upground reservoirs. I've seen them on Alum Ck. Lk. in the fall. You can differentiate Common Loons from Double-crested Cormorants on the water at fair distance because cormorants hold their bills at a much more upwards angle. The Common Loon's bill looks almost parallel to the water. Their huge trailing feet helps distinguish loons on the wing.

[Kyle Kochheiser]

To hear a loon coo is one of the most awe inspiring sounds in all the world. They are a very neat bird indeed.

[smead]

This is quite a lake...saw a beaver paddling briskly just the other day!!

[Kyle Kochheiser]

Speaking of neat sights while fishing. I was up at Alum Creek musky fishing from my canoe yesterday and I managed to see a baby fox. He was quite curious and a little afraid. Very cool to see. The muskies were not very agressive. I had 2 follows and no hooks ups. It was a fun evening on the water though.

[Eugene]

In spite of your lack of boated beast, I'm envious of your recent time on the water and in the wild, Kyle. Tight lines out there, all!

[smead]

Met a courteous great blue heron while fishing recently at a 2 acre pond...He landed across the pond, then made his way half way around it; got within 10 feet of me and then flew off back to his starting point and went the other way around.

;D

[smead]

Busy with work up until just lately.

I wish I had my camera, think that I saw one of these fellows at the lake where I heard the loon call.

I thought that I was going to see another beaver when I noticed he didn't have that paddle tail...right around dusk!! ;D



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www.dnr.state.oh.us/Home/species_a_to_z/SpeciesGuideIndex/riverotter/tabid/6743/Default.aspx

[Eugene]

Groovy. The state's reintroduction program did bring otters back in a pretty big way.

[smead]

My fellow was doing a bit of diving...a lot of fun to watch.

I saw the beaver again the other day...may have discovered his den.

I'm comforted by their presence...it's d**ned good.