ML646745211

Observation details

Clearly a loon, most of the way out from the boat launch, which only dove a couple times. My first impression was that the bill just didn’t seem “schnozzy” enough for COLO (there was one to my right, widely separated from this bird), and it appeared to have a deeper black back than I’m used to seeing w/ COLO. Head shape was more rounded and not “lumpy.” Eliminated red-throated due to bill structure (which looked straight and symmetrical) and no open, white face. So my initial ID was PALO, though I confess I wanted to put my distant pics on a machine first (just in case they revealed something I missed in my brief encounter with this bird). Took a couple preliminary snaps with my camera (which I shared and received feedback). Those shoddy pics are included here. And though they are not absolutely diagnostic on their own, they support my initial thoughts by showing the more rounded head and smaller bill. When I got out to get better digi-scopes, it had disappeared. I waited around for an hour; never re-found it. I really wish there were more access to the Harbor Channel and McKellar Lake.