Thank all of you for your help with this loon. Conditions were dry that
day, but it was getting towards dark, a little after 5 pm. The spot wasn't
far from the river. It was stretched out in the center of the road way.
Since it is a fairly busy road, it was a wonderment it didn't get
splattered. I'd always wanted to see a loon, and this certainly was up
close and personal. I spoke with my neighbor who has lived here in this
spot all his life. When I showed him the picture, he said he had seen birds
like this down in ponds on Lucas Creek a few miles away. Richard, (pardon
me, I've forgotten the last name) was able to identify it as a red-throated.

Now for some newbie questions:-) What kinds of birds do you report? What
books do you recommend as good resources? I have a Petersons, and acquired
an Audubon Western Field guide. Birds I see fairly often here are a small
flock of wild turkeys, kestrels, a pair of vultures, hawks, juncos, one lone
red winged blackbird, nuthatches, etc. There are some bald eagles, but I
usually only see them in the summer. We have seen a golden eagle occasionally.

Mary Schlarbaum
Chehalis, WA
mary at localaccess.com