A Special Bird a Special Day
Today, the anniversary of my birth, we headed to Griggs Reservoir near our home in the hopes of seeing the Red-throated Loon that had been reported at the reservoir’s south end. It’s a bird that’s not normally seen in central Ohio so it would be a especially nice way to mark the passing of another year. After all, what else do you get someone who has pretty much everything they need or want. Also, if seen, it would be a life bird for me as well as my wife and that is always exciting.
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Long story short, we did see the loon, and I received my very special birthday present. However, even more amazing was that just as we arrived and were exiting the car, equipment still in slight disarray, +30 Sandhill Cranes and then a Bald Eagle flew right over our heads. We were so excited about the cranes that when the eagle flew over we were completely taken aback and just watched it fly away cameras in hand, so no flying eagle pictures.
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Probably about half the total number of cranes in the group.

A slightly closer look.
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Before spotting the loon, we walked south, first along the reservoir and then the river. A Cooper’s Hawk flew overhead with what appeared to be a starling in it’s talons, accompanied by a group of the unfortunate victims closest friends. Then, heading across the reservoir, still with it’s prey, it was briefly harassed by a gull before safely reaching the other shore.
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Further south along the river we did manage to see some of our other friends.
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A male Kingfisher watches from across the river.

A female was much closer on our side of the river. This picture, probably of the same bird, was taken a few days ago, (Donna).

One of two male Wood Ducks seen.
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Finally, heading back to the car along the reservoir’s east shore, there it was . . .
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At first it seemed that we were only going to see a loon sleeping.

But then it woke up . . .

and treated us to a better view.
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For comparison purposes, below are a couple of shots my wife took with her FZ200 superzoom.
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Red-throated Loon, (Donna).

Take 2, (Donna).
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A hard to beat birthday present.
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Thanks for stopping by.
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Happy Birthday! and congratulations on the loon, very fitting as a birthday present.
Thanks Jerry!
Must be an omen, buy a lottery ticket.
Happy Birthday!
Thanks.
I must be ther more often. I was there last Saturday but did not see any bird.
Ba
________________________________ 差出人: Central Ohio Nature 送信日時: 2015年12月15日 22:43 宛先: bahuynh@hotmail.com 件名: [New post] A Special Bird a Special Day
centralohionature posted: “Today, the anniversary of my birth, we headed to Griggs Reservoir near our home in the hopes of seeing the Red-throated Loon that had been reported at the reservoir’s south end. This is a bird that’s not normally seen in central Ohio. For me it would be a”
It will probably still be there today.
Happy Birthday to you, and a comment about this website in general – love the pictures, and expecially the descriptions. Lookinf forward to more in 2016. M 🙂
Thanks for the well wishes, glad you enjoy!
A joy for my eyes, as usual ☺ Happy Birthday!
The loon was a nice gift, Happy Birthday!
Happy birthday and congratulations on picking such an excellent present for yourself.
Thanks, it’s hard not to feel blessed when a rare visitor shows up in a lake 1.5 miles from your house.
Happy Birthday!