Date: 6/25/25 11:06 pm From: rainyday via groups.io <c_griz...> Subject: [AKBirding] Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Pacific Loon!
Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Pacific Loon!
Seward, Alaska
The forecasted rain only amounted to a mist by the afternoon when I drove over to Fourth of July Beach, but I left my camera in the car anyway. As soon as I started walking on the beach, I raised my binocs then turned and hustled back to get it. Sheesh! A PACIFIC LOON paddled along just off the beach!
The wary Loon didn’t linger, and dove away when it saw me. But something tasty lured it closer several times for great views of the narrow chin strap, grayish nape, and all dark around the eye. Sibley’s calendar dates suggest this is a first summer bird (May-Sept) as the other plumages do not correlate with June.
BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES, GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS, a HERRING GULL, three PELAGIC CORMORANTS, two MARBLED MURRELETS, and a Harbor Seal competed for the feast though I failed to see the menu.
Much farther out, about 50 SURF SCOTERS and the pair of WHITE-WIINGED SCOTERS rode the green waves up and down.
Six HARLEQUIN DUCKS rested on a rocky finger as the rising tide splashed them with waves.
VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS, maybe 4-5, swooped over the beach rye grass and roiling creek, hard to even follow with binocs much less the camera.
The BALD EAGLE still sat on her regal nest, with the male perched in a nearby tree. Those big babies should be hatched any day if not already.
Despite the mist, low light, and chilly south wind, I had a great time observing the unusual Loon and other birds and taking photos. Another lesson relearned: Always Bring Camera. It’s as easy as ABC!
