On March 25, 2021, I noticed a Common loon in full breeding plumage cruising through the Cap Sante Marina. I hurried home, retrieved my camera and returned to the marina but the loon had moved on. The next morning (March 26) I again passed by the marina and again saw a loon. I again rushed home, retrieved my camera and returned to the marina. Same story… the loon had moved on! A search of the waterways revealed the loon a couple of hundred yards away, and moving even further away. I took a photo just for my records. The bird then flew out of sight, but I found it again out from the Seafarers’ Memorial.

I continued watching as the loon took a few minutes for preening, rolling over on its side to access the feathers on its belly.

It finally began moving closer while fishing. While some other waterfowl peer under water while on the surface, it’s a practice that loons seem to utilize consistently. Here’s a photo of the loon looking for prey under water.

The loon finally came within a distance that would allow a decent photograph and I took the opportunity to take several before it swam away again. This loon is in full breeding plumage which differs considerably from its more drab winter plumage.

Meanwhile, next to the fuel dock, a female Hooded merganser surfaced. The photographic conditions were great… the sun was shining on the merganser and there were some interesting reflections on the water. I usually like to get photos of birds in natural conditions but I felt these photos were very artistic.

And while I’m on the subject of waterfowl, here is a photo I took of a female Common goldeneye at the Cap Sante Marina on March 24, in a light rain…