Birds and Nature

The Pacific Loon was still at Brush Hollow Reservoir and I was able to photograph it in much better light than yesterday. As these pics show, the chin strap is no longer evident--maybe what looked like a definite chin strap in yesterdays rather dark pics was actually a shadow?? So this appears to be a juvenile bird. SeEtta

This appears to be an adult but there is some checkering pattern on it's back. Birds of North America online states that Basic Plumage "Worn from Nov to Mar. Acquired by complete Definitive Prebasic molt, beginning in Aug–Nov or later, with most feathers replaced by winter," So I guess it is not unusual for them to retain this portion of their Atlernate plumage this close to December? SeEtta

Late this afternoon I found this Pacific Loon at Brush Hollow Reservoir about 10 mile northeast of Canon City,CO. Though Pacific Loons visit large Colorado lakes every fall and winter, it is pretty rare to see this species at this less-than-large lake that covers 200 acres when full--currently about 3/4 full so covering about 150 acres. Unfortunately it was late afternoon and storm clouds moved in resulting in darkish photos that I had to lighten during editing--I try to keep retain the same appearance as I observed but this is difficult with birds that are black and white as is obvious in the differences apparent in these pics. More pics to follow in next post. SeEtta