Last Friday I spotted this Common Loon (Gavia immer) in the waters off of Occoquan Bay National Willdife Refuge. I don’t think that I have ever actually seen a loon before, but this bird pretty much matches the image of a Common Loon in breeding plumage in my bird identification guide. The range maps indicate that Northern Virginia, where I live, is in a migratory area for this species. I am guessing that this loon stopped for a while on his journey northward.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
I’ve shot lots of loons in the Adirondacks. That sure is a loon. Nice one, too.
Thanks for the confirmation. I was hoping that the loon would venture closer, but it stayed pretty far from the shore.
Loins have a most beautiful plumage. Lucky to have spotted one.
That was meant to say loons!
It is actually quite amusing in the original version. 🙂 I didn’t even catch the typo when I read your comment the first time, Chris.
Nice Mike! They are fun to see and photograph!
Love their sound!