Music: minimal funk, synths take the lead

Visuals: loons

The visual theme here arises from my study of Red-throated and Common Loons during the spring and fall of 2022.

In early May of 2022, I ventured to Whitefish Point, Michigan to watch the yearly spring loon migration. These birds, mostly Common Loons, winter on the Atlantic Ocean and cross through Lake Superior on their way to northern breeding grounds. Due to the peninsular nature of the Point, many birds cross directly overhead during migration. This offers an opportunity to study these birds near (sometimes VERY near) and far, all while they are flying.

In November of the same year, I observed the fall migration of these loon species back to their wintering grounds, this time in basic "nonbreeding" plumage and with many first-year birds in attendance. I watched this migration mostly from the southern tip of Lake Michigan, in Marquette Park, Indiana, which due its geography is the "last stop" before waterbirds are forced to migrate over dry land when heading south.

I hope you'll enjoy my music and photo guide to loon identification.