I am a big fan of the classic British sci-fi called Red Dwarf. And every time I see the eyes on loons or grebes, I am reminded of the episode “Quarantine”. In this episode, the hologram Rimmer is infected by a space virus. The infection gives Rimmer “hex-vision” which his eyes turn bright red and lightning-bolts shoot from his eyes. So, the loons and grebes have the bright red eyes, but I haven’t seen the lightning-bolts yet (but I’m always watching carefully and don’t turn my back on ‘em when they’re close…).
On a recent loop trip (Bottle Beach / Westport, Tokeland / Brady Loop Rd.), my wife and I saw four species of grebes and two species of loons. First up at Westport Marina, we saw two horned grebes that were diving by the overhead walkway to the #20 dock and the harbor breakwater. Like the child’s game of “red-light – green light”, I would move in closer along the finger docks when a bird was underwater and snap a few pictures when it popped up to the surface. But neither bird was very willing to let me get too close.
An eared grebe was diving on the main basin side, but it was in VERY bad light. But as we walked back to the car, it popped up in a great position and I captured a series of images. It was quite distinctive in its winter plumage; its breeding plumage must be striking.
Several long-necked Western grebes were diving in the main basin and at the entrance to the marina.
In binoc range, but in not camera range, we saw some red-necked grebes as well.
Loons are rare in Washington lakes in summer, but many individuals of several species overwinter in the Salish Sea and along the coast. Several common loons were diving in the boat basin. They are identifiable by their large size, with substantial blue-gray blade-like bills, white necks, and a pale white collar that wraps around its neck incompletely. They can sit quite low in the water, much like a cormorant (vs. ducks which typically sit high in the water after a dive. [The red eyes weren’t as obvious in these pictures.]
At Tokeland, we saw more Western grebes and red-necked grebes, albeit in the bay. And there were also common loons farther out. But a Pacific loon was diving just off the fishing pier and quite cooperative and flashed its hex-vision.
The Pacific loon is a bit smaller than a common loon. Their black “chin-strap” is a diagnostic field character.
Unlike, common loons, Pacific loons lack the incomplete white neck collar; the border between the white necks and dark nape is sharp. And the nape and cap regions are light gray in the Pacific loon, while these regions distinctly dark gray in common loons.
Of course, other birds, such as spotted towhees and American coots, have red eyes too. And some distinctive marine birds have eyes that are also striking, albeit not red, such as the green eyes of the double-crested cormorant.
Steve
On a recent loop trip (Bottle Beach / Westport, Tokeland / Brady Loop Rd.), my wife and I saw four species of grebes and two species of loons. First up at Westport Marina, we saw two horned grebes that were diving by the overhead walkway to the #20 dock and the harbor breakwater. Like the child’s game of “red-light – green light”, I would move in closer along the finger docks when a bird was underwater and snap a few pictures when it popped up to the surface. But neither bird was very willing to let me get too close.
An eared grebe was diving on the main basin side, but it was in VERY bad light. But as we walked back to the car, it popped up in a great position and I captured a series of images. It was quite distinctive in its winter plumage; its breeding plumage must be striking.
Several long-necked Western grebes were diving in the main basin and at the entrance to the marina.
In binoc range, but in not camera range, we saw some red-necked grebes as well.Loons are rare in Washington lakes in summer, but many individuals of several species overwinter in the Salish Sea and along the coast. Several common loons were diving in the boat basin. They are identifiable by their large size, with substantial blue-gray blade-like bills, white necks, and a pale white collar that wraps around its neck incompletely. They can sit quite low in the water, much like a cormorant (vs. ducks which typically sit high in the water after a dive. [The red eyes weren’t as obvious in these pictures.]
At Tokeland, we saw more Western grebes and red-necked grebes, albeit in the bay. And there were also common loons farther out. But a Pacific loon was diving just off the fishing pier and quite cooperative and flashed its hex-vision.
The Pacific loon is a bit smaller than a common loon. Their black “chin-strap” is a diagnostic field character.
Unlike, common loons, Pacific loons lack the incomplete white neck collar; the border between the white necks and dark nape is sharp. And the nape and cap regions are light gray in the Pacific loon, while these regions distinctly dark gray in common loons.
Of course, other birds, such as spotted towhees and American coots, have red eyes too. And some distinctive marine birds have eyes that are also striking, albeit not red, such as the green eyes of the double-crested cormorant.
Steve
