Mike,

I know that Yellow-billed Loons are really uncommon around here, but it
didn't look like any immature cormarant that I have seen. First, most of
the cormorants that I have seen have atleast had a small patch of orange
at the base of the bill. This bird had none. Also, the bill looked
heavier than the bills of the cormorants which I saw. The bill seemed
chalky yellow, but still bright and contrasting. Nothing else really
sticks out in my mind.

About the ducks. Is it me or do male widgeon not normally have bills
that blue? Both of the males which I saw had those characteristics.



Michael Dossett
Shoreline, Washington
mpdossett at Juno.com