We enjoyed a meal on a deck overlooking Avalon Harbor.
This pair of gulls seems deep in conversation. I'm not sure what variety of gull they are but I thought them exceptionally handsome.
Then I saw another bird in the water, one I was totally unfamiliar with.
With its legs far back on its body I thought at first it was a new species of grebe. After checking out my guides I realized that there is another bird with its legs in that position, a loon. I had gone all the way to Alaska hoping to see a loon with no luck. I found one at Catalina. In its winter plumage it is not as striking but it's still a loon.
More watery sights are to be found at Watery Wednesday, hosted for us by 2sweetnsaxy.
Didn't even know loons are found in CA. Saw them long ago in Wisconsin and Michigan. Their scream scared me the first time. Great shot of the chatty gulls.
ReplyDeleteTerrific captures, Martha, as always! Love the "up close and personal" with the birds. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
Whispering sweet nothings! First time to learn the specie loon.
ReplyDeleteI am now smarter, to help me identify the creatures I photograph. Hehehe, I take a shot of the bill board with their corresponding names.
Those gossiping gulls! Both yacking at the same time!
ReplyDeleteCool shots of the ducks and I think your second one is a loon.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots. Love the gulls.
ReplyDeleteI loved all your photos of the birds today Martha, and the 'gossips' made me smile.
ReplyDeleteTriple bonus today. Two classy gulls and an unusual loon.
ReplyDeletethey are so cute....
ReplyDeleteGood capture :)
I had never seen one until yours today! I could never recognize it again to be able to identify it. . . you have such details about it that Iw ould never have noticed. . .
ReplyDeleteThe first picture looks like they are in deep chat, are they both female? If they are female I don't wonder why hehehehe. Great shots this makes me smile today. ^_^
ReplyDeleteWatery Wednesday
The shot of the two gulls made me laugh. They really do appear to be talking about something important. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is what a loon looks like this time of year? Amazing!
How beautiful, at peace with themselves they are.
ReplyDeletePlease have a good Thursday you all.
daily athens
Great shots! I too wonder sometimes what critters are communicating about!
ReplyDeleteMy WW
I like your cute talking sea gulls and the loon is interesting, nice find!
ReplyDeleteLove the two seagulls; they are pretty!
ReplyDeleteI love seagulls and it's so cool to observe them and see them so happy.
ReplyDeleteThose gulls look like they are having an interesting discussion! The loon is beautiful - I've not seen one with that light coloring before.
ReplyDeletehow nice to see the loon. :)
ReplyDeleteI missed this post earlier -- so glad you're on my Google Reader!
ReplyDeleteThe bird photos are great -- how strange that you saw the loon in Catalina instead of Canada. We heard them in Maine (or at least we were told that was what we were hearing), but didn't get a glimpse.