Common Loon in nonbreeding plumage in the Gulf of Mexico, Fort De Soto County Park, Pinellas County, FloridaCommon Loon in nonbreeding plumage in the Gulf of Mexico

The weather the past few days has been loony, high winds in excess of 65 mph hit on the 14th causing power outages, toppled trees, dust storms and accidents. The high temp that day officially was 76°F but it dropped like a rock when the cold front finally arrived. Then it rained and in the late afternoon it started to snow. It snowed overnight and all day yesterday in the middle of April after a lot of the trees had bloomed and leafed out.  On the news last night they said we got 7.5 inches but I think it was a bit more where I live. It might seem odd, because it is, but this one snow brought nearly as much or more snow than I saw on the ground here all winter. And it isn’t winter any more!

Common Loon in breeding plumage, Deer Creek Reservoir, Wasatch County, UtahCommon Loon in breeding plumage

Anyway, when I thought about our loony weather it reminded me of loons, specifically Common Loons because there have been many reports of them here this past week. A few of those reports mentioned that the loons were calling and that brought back fond memories of hearing them as a child in Michigan. Their haunting call stays with you forever after hearing it. I’d love to hear it again.

The top image of a Common Loon in nonbreeding plumage was taken at Fort De Soto County Park in Florida in March of 2009. The second image was taken here in Utah at Deer Creek Reservoir last May. I haven’t been able to get the high quality images of Common Loons that I would like to have.

And that along with our crazy weather is beginning to make me a little loony!

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Common Loon photos plus facts and information about this species.