Last fall I saw a Red-throated Loon here and I was hoping that another might be present taking a break from its long spring migration between the Atlantic coast and the arctic. Here is last fall’s bird which is a fall adult nonbreeder showing a white face:

At the conclusion of this morning’s walk (which was done in 4 degree weather with very windy even snowy conditions at times) a Red-throated Loon did appear. This one is a juvenile with less distinct colouration than the fall bird:

My camera battery was exhausted by this point so I thank Eugene Knapik for the photos!

Here are other birds that I was able to photograph:

The complete list: red-throated loon, mallard, American black duck, wood duck, common goldeneye, turkey vulture, ring-billed gull, mourning dove, black-capped chickadee, hairy woodpecker, northern mockingbird, American robin, European starling, red-winged blackbird, common grackle, brown-headed cowbird,  northern cardinal, American goldfinch, song sparrow.  (19 species)

Some signs of spring:

Other botany:

Today’s group:

Scenes from the park:

NATURE POETRY

Suddenly, with lifted eyes you said, “Oh look!”
There, on the black bough of a snow flecked maple,
Fearless and gay as our love,
A bluejay cocked his crest!
Oh who can tell the range of joy
Or set the bounds of beauty?    – Sara Teasdale (1884–1933)

Miles Hearn