Date: Sun, 14 Jul 2002 14:46:28 +0000 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: sue hamilton Subject: White Ibis and Pacific Loon Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed Yesterday (Saturday the 13th) I played Hookey from Atlas etc and drove from southern Calvert County up to Montgomery Co to try to find these exciting birds I've been reading about. Followed Paul's precise instructions, parked car by trail & noted two gentlemen w/ binocs. AHA. I strolled a few yards down the trail & saw the stone dam and --what was the big bird w/ large white rump patch/ Oh. The ibis! Watched it, watched a Green Heron, noted that the female wood duck was Unaccompanied (sorry). Overhead flew Purple MArtins! (An All-County 'close-out' bird for me -- ) After a nice chat and a lot of views of the Ibis, which sat preening like some tame mallard on the far bank, headed off to find Clopper Lake. Parked at Kingfisher Overlook as instructed (THANKS LIST) and took the short stroll to the dam. The lake appeared quiet and empty.... oh, action by the far shore. I watched intently as a loon dove repeatedly, but I couldn't see any id marks. Finally started back to the car for a telescope when I noticed a bird sitting on the water about 25 yards out. Unmistakably, the Pacific Loon. It casually dove, reappeared, flapped its wings and turned slowly, allowing me to see its head and neck markings. All interesting of course, but the sleek rounded shape of the head is such a great characteristic. Jizz. Eventually it came as close as 10 yards, so I could almost see every feather. Life Bird, State bird, County bird, Year Bird...... It's not supposed to be this easy! Thanks for all the information and directions which made this trip successful and so much fun. Sue HAmilton _________________________________________________________________ MSN Photos is the easiest way to share and print your photos: http://photos.msn.com/support/worldwide.aspx ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================