Hi Tweets,

Watched a juv Common loon fishing around the inflow pipe at the extreme W
end of Coal Harbor, completely oblivious of people watching it from a few
feet above. Got to learn a few interesting things about Common Loons.

First, the juvenile feather tracts were so crisp and perfectly delineated
that one could see it breathe: while on the surface, each
inhalation-exhalation took one second but just before each dive it would
take three quick complete breaths in just one second and change.

Second, it was scoping constantly--about every three seconds--before each
dive; with no other loon in the vicinity, it could only be scoping for fish.
Related to this, there's a TV commercial (some guy and his dog swimming
across a lake for an insurance company --don't ask) which quite briefly
shows a mated pair of Common Loons in some sort of close-proximity display
with simultaneous scoping as a component of the display).

Third, the average dive duration was 25 seconds over fifteen dives; the
average for the Horned Grebe associating with the loon was 29 seconds over
eight dives: interesting.

Fourth, looking down on the bird showed how great was the distance between
the the trailing edge of the wing and the tail, easily half the bird's
entire length along the waterline.

Last, that whether on the surface or submerged, this loon invariably
propelled itself with powerful simultaneous kicks of its feet, never
alternating, and do those webs ever open out! In full web extension, Common
Loons have *enormous* feet!

And that juvenile plumage is pretty neat!

Michael Price We aren't flying...we're falling with style!
Vancouver BC Canada -Buzz Lightyear, Toy Story
mprice at mindlink.net