{"id":6941,"date":"2013-03-16T22:43:01","date_gmt":"2013-03-17T02:43:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?p=6941"},"modified":"2013-03-24T07:21:29","modified_gmt":"2013-03-24T11:21:29","slug":"disappearing-loon-at-thomas-point-state-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?p=6941","title":{"rendered":"Disappearing Loon at Thomas Point State Park"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<!-- Facebook Like Button v1.9.6 BEGIN [http:\/\/blog.bottomlessinc.com] -->\n<iframe src=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/plugins\/like.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fhughvandervoort.com%2F%3Fp%3D6941&amp;layout=standard&amp;show_faces=false&amp;width=450&amp;action=like&amp;colorscheme=light\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowTransparency=\"true\" style=\"border:none; overflow:hidden; width:450px; height: 30px; align: left; margin: 2px 0px 2px 0px\"><\/iframe>\n<!-- Facebook Like Button END -->\n<p>The weatherman predicted rain for most of the day, so I goofed off for several hours this morning until I realized it was bright, sunny and warm.  I packed up my gear and headed out to Thomas Point, where I found a Common Loon and a molting Grebe. A stop at Quiet Waters and Truxtun Park didn&#8217;t turn up much, and I got home in the early afternoon.<br \/>\n<div id=\"attachment_6942\" style=\"width: 878px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a \n\n<a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=6943\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6943\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6942\" data-attachment-id=\"6943\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=6943\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Horned-Grebe-14.jpg?fit=828%2C784&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"828,784\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Horned Grebe \" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Horned-Grebe-14.jpg?fit=584%2C553&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Horned-Grebe-14.jpg?resize=584%2C553&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Horned Grebe \" width=\"584\" height=\"553\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6943\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Horned-Grebe-14.jpg?w=828&amp;ssl=1 828w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Horned-Grebe-14.jpg?resize=150%2C142&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Horned-Grebe-14.jpg?resize=316%2C300&amp;ssl=1 316w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-6942\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=6944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6944\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"6944\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=6944\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Horned-Grebe-10.jpg?fit=756%2C788&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"756,788\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Horned Grebe \" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Horned-Grebe-10.jpg?fit=584%2C609&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Horned-Grebe-10.jpg?resize=584%2C609&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Horned Grebe \" width=\"584\" height=\"609\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6944\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Horned-Grebe-10.jpg?w=756&amp;ssl=1 756w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Horned-Grebe-10.jpg?resize=143%2C150&amp;ssl=1 143w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Horned-Grebe-10.jpg?resize=287%2C300&amp;ssl=1 287w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=6945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6945\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"6945\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=6945\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Horned-Grebe-11.jpg?fit=1020%2C1048&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1020,1048\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Horned Grebe \" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Horned-Grebe-11.jpg?fit=584%2C600&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Horned-Grebe-11.jpg?resize=584%2C600&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Horned Grebe \" width=\"584\" height=\"600\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6945\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Horned-Grebe-11.jpg?w=1020&amp;ssl=1 1020w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Horned-Grebe-11.jpg?resize=145%2C150&amp;ssl=1 145w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Horned-Grebe-11.jpg?resize=291%2C300&amp;ssl=1 291w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=6946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6946\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"6946\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=6946\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Horned-Grebe-12.jpg?fit=576%2C664&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"576,664\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Horned Grebe \" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Horned-Grebe-12.jpg?fit=576%2C664&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Horned-Grebe-12.jpg?resize=576%2C664&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Horned Grebe \" width=\"576\" height=\"664\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6946\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Horned-Grebe-12.jpg?w=576&amp;ssl=1 576w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Horned-Grebe-12.jpg?resize=130%2C150&amp;ssl=1 130w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Horned-Grebe-12.jpg?resize=260%2C300&amp;ssl=1 260w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 576px) 100vw, 576px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=6942\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6942\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"6942\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=6942\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Horned-Grebe-13.jpg?fit=868%2C864&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"868,864\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Horned Grebe \" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;This Horned Grebe is molting for the breeding season.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Horned-Grebe-13.jpg?fit=584%2C581&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Horned-Grebe-13.jpg?resize=584%2C581&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Horned Grebe\" width=\"584\" height=\"581\" class=\"size-full wp-image-6942\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Horned-Grebe-13.jpg?w=868&amp;ssl=1 868w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Horned-Grebe-13.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Horned-Grebe-13.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Horned-Grebe-13.jpg?resize=301%2C300&amp;ssl=1 301w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a> This Horned Grebe is molting for the breeding season.<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=6954\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6954\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"6954\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=6954\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Common-Loon-11.jpg?fit=772%2C584&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"772,584\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Common Loon \" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Common-Loon-11.jpg?fit=584%2C442&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Common-Loon-11.jpg?resize=584%2C442&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Common Loon\" width=\"584\" height=\"442\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6954\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Common-Loon-11.jpg?w=772&amp;ssl=1 772w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Common-Loon-11.jpg?resize=150%2C113&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Common-Loon-11.jpg?resize=396%2C300&amp;ssl=1 396w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=6960\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6960\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"6960\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=6960\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Common-Loon-13.jpg?fit=960%2C640&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"960,640\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Common Loon \" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Common-Loon-13.jpg?fit=584%2C389&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Common-Loon-13.jpg?resize=584%2C389&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Common Loon \" width=\"584\" height=\"389\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6960\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Common-Loon-13.jpg?w=960&amp;ssl=1 960w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Common-Loon-13.jpg?resize=150%2C100&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Common-Loon-13.jpg?resize=450%2C300&amp;ssl=1 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<div id=\"attachment_6955\" style=\"width: 886px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=6955\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6955\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6955\" data-attachment-id=\"6955\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=6955\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Common-Loon-12.jpg?fit=876%2C728&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"876,728\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Common Loon \" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;This Common Loon was a few feet offshore and psed nicely. He dove shortly afterward and I never saw him again despite great visibility. They&amp;#8217;ve done that before and I still don&amp;#8217;t know how thry do it.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Common-Loon-12.jpg?fit=584%2C485&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Common-Loon-12.jpg?resize=584%2C485&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Common Loon \" width=\"584\" height=\"485\" class=\"size-full wp-image-6955\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Common-Loon-12.jpg?w=876&amp;ssl=1 876w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Common-Loon-12.jpg?resize=150%2C124&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Common-Loon-12.jpg?resize=360%2C300&amp;ssl=1 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-6955\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">This Common Loon was a few feet offshore and posed nicely. He dove shortly afterward and I never saw him again despite great visibility. They&#8217;ve done that before and I still don&#8217;t know how they do it.<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_6958\" style=\"width: 1002px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=6958\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6958\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6958\" data-attachment-id=\"6958\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=6958\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Long-Tailed-Duck-51.jpg?fit=992%2C660&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"992,660\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Long Tailed Duck \" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;This Long Tailed Duck  was paddling about slowly and didn&amp;#8217;t seem to have a care in the world.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Long-Tailed-Duck-51.jpg?fit=584%2C389&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Long-Tailed-Duck-51.jpg?resize=584%2C389&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Long Tailed Duck \" width=\"584\" height=\"389\" class=\"size-full wp-image-6958\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Long-Tailed-Duck-51.jpg?w=992&amp;ssl=1 992w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Long-Tailed-Duck-51.jpg?resize=150%2C99&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Long-Tailed-Duck-51.jpg?resize=450%2C300&amp;ssl=1 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-6958\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">This Long Tailed Duck  was paddling about slowly and didn&#8217;t seem to have a care in the world.<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_6962\" style=\"width: 578px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=6962\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6962\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6962\" data-attachment-id=\"6962\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=6962\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Surf-Scoter-12.jpg?fit=568%2C384&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"568,384\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Surf Scoter \" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Surf Scoters are still present in small numbers. &lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Surf-Scoter-12.jpg?fit=568%2C384&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Surf-Scoter-12.jpg?resize=568%2C384&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Surf Scoter \" width=\"568\" height=\"384\" class=\"size-full wp-image-6962\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Surf-Scoter-12.jpg?w=568&amp;ssl=1 568w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Surf-Scoter-12.jpg?resize=150%2C101&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Surf-Scoter-12.jpg?resize=443%2C300&amp;ssl=1 443w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 568px) 100vw, 568px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-6962\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Surf Scoters are still present in small numbers.<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_6963\" style=\"width: 842px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=6963\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6963\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6963\" data-attachment-id=\"6963\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=6963\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Bufflehead-76.jpg?fit=832%2C732&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"832,732\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Bufflehead \" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Buffleheads are still common. &lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Bufflehead-76.jpg?fit=584%2C514&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Bufflehead-76.jpg?resize=584%2C514&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Bufflehead \" width=\"584\" height=\"514\" class=\"size-full wp-image-6963\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Bufflehead-76.jpg?w=832&amp;ssl=1 832w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Bufflehead-76.jpg?resize=150%2C131&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Bufflehead-76.jpg?resize=340%2C300&amp;ssl=1 340w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-6963\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Buffleheads are still common.<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_6965\" style=\"width: 1550px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=6965\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6965\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6965\" data-attachment-id=\"6965\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=6965\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Turkey-Vulture-20.jpg?fit=1540%2C1144&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1540,1144\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Turkey Vulture \" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;This tree was occupied by several Turkey Vultures &lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Turkey-Vulture-20.jpg?fit=584%2C434&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Turkey-Vulture-20.jpg?resize=584%2C434&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Turkey Vulture \" width=\"584\" height=\"434\" class=\"size-full wp-image-6965\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Turkey-Vulture-20.jpg?w=1540&amp;ssl=1 1540w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Turkey-Vulture-20.jpg?resize=150%2C111&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Turkey-Vulture-20.jpg?resize=403%2C300&amp;ssl=1 403w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Turkey-Vulture-20.jpg?w=1168&amp;ssl=1 1168w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-6965\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">This tree was occupied by several Turkey Vultures<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=6969\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6969\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"6969\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=6969\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Mallard-52.jpg?fit=2096%2C1600&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2096,1600\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Mallard\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Mallard-52.jpg?fit=584%2C467&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Mallard-52.jpg?resize=584%2C446&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Mallard\" width=\"584\" height=\"446\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6969\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Mallard-52.jpg?w=2096&amp;ssl=1 2096w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Mallard-52.jpg?resize=150%2C114&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Mallard-52.jpg?resize=393%2C300&amp;ssl=1 393w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Mallard-52.jpg?w=1168&amp;ssl=1 1168w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Mallard-52.jpg?w=1752&amp;ssl=1 1752w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_6967\" style=\"width: 1414px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=6967\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6967\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6967\" data-attachment-id=\"6967\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=6967\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Mallard-51.jpg?fit=1404%2C1312&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1404,1312\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Mallard\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;This Mallard appeared to be curious about me.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Mallard-51.jpg?fit=584%2C546&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Mallard-51.jpg?resize=584%2C546&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Mallard\" width=\"584\" height=\"546\" class=\"size-full wp-image-6967\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Mallard-51.jpg?w=1404&amp;ssl=1 1404w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Mallard-51.jpg?resize=150%2C140&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Mallard-51.jpg?resize=321%2C300&amp;ssl=1 321w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Mallard-51.jpg?w=1168&amp;ssl=1 1168w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-6967\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">This Mallard appeared to be curious about me.<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_6975\" style=\"width: 1246px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=6975\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-6975\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6975\" data-attachment-id=\"6975\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=6975\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Lesser-Scaup-70.jpg?fit=1236%2C904&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1236,904\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Lesser  Scaup \" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;The Lesser  Scaup  is also known as the &amp;#8220;Bluebill.&amp;#8221;&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Lesser-Scaup-70.jpg?fit=584%2C427&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Lesser-Scaup-70.jpg?resize=584%2C427&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Lesser  Scaup \" width=\"584\" height=\"427\" class=\"size-full wp-image-6975\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Lesser-Scaup-70.jpg?w=1236&amp;ssl=1 1236w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Lesser-Scaup-70.jpg?resize=150%2C109&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Lesser-Scaup-70.jpg?resize=410%2C300&amp;ssl=1 410w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/Lesser-Scaup-70.jpg?w=1168&amp;ssl=1 1168w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-6975\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Lesser  Scaup  is also known as the &#8220;Bluebill.&#8221;<\/p><\/div>\n\n<!-- Facebook Like Button v1.9.6 BEGIN [http:\/\/blog.bottomlessinc.com] -->\n<iframe src=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/plugins\/like.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fhughvandervoort.com%2F%3Fp%3D6941&amp;layout=standard&amp;show_faces=false&amp;width=450&amp;action=like&amp;colorscheme=light\" scrolling=\"no\" 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I packed up my gear and headed out to Thomas Point, where I &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?p=6941\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6941","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-mybirdingday"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2xu3W-1NX","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6941","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6941"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6941\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7089,"href":"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6941\/revisions\/7089"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6941"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6941"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6941"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}