Last Friday evening my sister went on a two mile walk with her retired teachers group members. They hit the trails at Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve near Buffalo NY in Erie County - a large refuge complex open to the public with woods, marshes and several ponds. She said she heard and saw loons and an assortment of different waterfowl.
I asked, "Are you sure they were loons?" "Yes, A member in our group is an experienced birder." What color were they?" "Black with white lines and spots."
That was all I needed to know, because I needed photos of the Common Loon in breeding plumage. I had only heard about that preserve 65 miles from home, but had never been there due to all the traffic around the city. "When can we go?" "Sunday." Which happened to be Earth Day.
After two hours parked near the first pond with my cameras, I was surprised the loons were still there - shocked, actually. I met and spoke with a professional bird photographer from Canada following the 2018 spring northern migration. She said they likely will leaving here very soon.
I set up next to the water by the trail and was able to photograph 4 different loons diving, fishing and preening. I never saw one in flight - other ducks, yes, but not the loons. An album of portraits and one video are below in the share with fellow members.
Regards,
Jonathan
VIDEO
https://flic.kr/p/GMqMma 
