Red Throated Loon at Lake Artemesia.

I went straight to Artemesia this morning in hopes of finding good birds, and I got lucky. There was an unusually good variety and quantity , and mostly in good light.

The Loons were totally unexpected, as they are really bay/ocean birds and you wouldn’t expect to see them on a lake.

I took so many photos that I haven’t finished processing them yet, so I’ll be adding a few more later.

Canada Goose 2019-4

Canada Goose 2019-5

Canada Geese heading out to forage.

Great Blue Heron 2019-7

Great Blue Heron 2019-5

Great Blue Heron 2019-6

There were more Great Blue Herons than usual.

Double Crested Cormorant 2019-10 Double Crested Cormorant 2019-11

Double Crested Cormorant 2019-8 Double Crested Cormorant 2019-7

Double Crested Cormorant 2019-9

25 or more Double Crested Cormorants were fishing in the lake.

Ring Necked Duck 2019-1

Ring Necked Ducks have returned to the lake after a short absence.

Great Egret 2019-4

 

Great Egret 2019-6

Great Egret 2019-5

This Great Egret should have migrated south several weeks ago.

Hooded Merganser 2019-18 Hooded Merganser 2019-17 Hooded Merganser 2019-16

Hooded Merganser 2019-15

Two flocks of Hooded Mergansers are hanging out at the lake.

Canvasback 2019-13

This female Canvasback is an unusual visitor also.

Mallard 2019-3

A Mallard pair was cruising the lake.

Common Goldeneye 2019-5

The errant Common Goldeneyes are still in residence.

Common Goldeneye 2019-6

Red Throated Loon 2019-5 Red Throated Loon 2019-4 Red Throated Loon 2019-2 Red Throated Loon 2019-1

Red Throated Loon 2019-6

Two Red Throated Loons were a real surprise.