Ken and I took a leisurely walk around Centennial Lake enjoying the 
weather today. The highlights of the afternoon were a COMMON LOON in 
full breeding plumage on the deep half of the lake and a NORTHERN 
WATERTHRUSH in the cattails in the cove next to the concession dock.

Other interesting birds (aside from the Usual Suspects) were 
Double-crested Cormorant; Osprey; Red-shouldered Hawk; Northern Flicker; 
Eastern Phoebe; Ruby-crowned Kinglet; Hermit Thrush; Palm Warbler; and 
Eastern Towhee. The Tree and Barn Swallows were swooping busily, and 
Yellow-rumped Warblers were *everywhere*. White-throated Sparrows were 
singing, the Common Grackles are back, and the Fish Crows hung out in 
their usual area around the boat-launching ramp.

With only a 3X zoom I couldn't get a great photo of the loon, but I did 
get a fairly good one:
          http://flyaway.smugmug.com/gallery/154062/3/19985837
You can change the size of the photo to make it larger (Large) or much 
larger (Original).

Sherry
nightheron =at= despammed =dot= com
Howard County