Went to Hyland Lake Park Reserve this morning around 11am - 1:30pm. The lake was filled with loons. At one point I had 28 common loons in view. Along with the ones around the corner I believe there were at least 31-33 common loons present. Also amongst the waterfowl included Buffleheads, Ring-necked Ducks, Ruddy Ducks, Northern Shovelers, Pied-billed Grebes, Redheads, Canvasbacks and 1 Red-necked Grebe. I also had a single Hermit Thrush, multiple Yellow-rumped Warblers and multiple Golden-crowned Kinglets flitting about me as I was photographing the loons (who were very calm and confiding, swiming right up the shore many times until a moron with a toy speedboat came and pushed the entire crew of loons to the opposite side of the lack for his selfish indulgences).
I then went and checked out the Great-Horned Owl nest. Mom was comfortably sitting on the nest when I got there. A few minutes later, either the roller blader with very noisy ski-poles dragging along the ground scared her off the nest, or she got uncomfortable because of baby, and decided to move to a nearby tree. She certainly had an evil look for the skater as she passed by that I was able to capture in images. The concentration of loons is just amazing. I've never seen such a thing in the spring before. Chris Fagyal
