Common Loon

Went to Blackwell Forest Preserve to get photos of common loons observed at the park. As I was driving in this loon was in the lake just off the roadway, so rolled down the passenger window and took a photo. Turns out this was the closest I would get to the loon and the best photo. On a Saturday morning there were a number of shore and boat fisherman, and the loon kept it's distance.

Later I watched a Caspian tern fishing. It was successful in catching a fish on three of six dives, which is a good percentage (extra photo of tern with fish).

The Chicago area lies in the migratory path for each of these birds, and I expect they are only temporary visitors and will continue north for the summer.