Black Scoters & Common Loons

Common Loon - West Branch Forest Preserve, Deep Quarry Lake, Dupage County

I stopped at the West Branch Forest Preserve in Dupage Co. today on my lunch break and observed a new life bird, a Black Scoter. Actually there was a pair feeding near the south end of Deep Quarry Lake. I was on the north side of the lake, too far to get a photograph, but was still able to tell they were Black Scoters, and not one of the more abundant Common Loons (I counted 8) on the lake which swam closer to where I was observing. There was another nature photographer at the south end of the lake, close to the Scoters, and I didn't want to accidentally spook the pair by trudging down there. Common Loons are fascinating birds to watch, and I was able to get this photograph between their frequent dives.

All images © 2008 Derek Strom