30 March 2008
Offat's Bayou in Galveston, TX

TWO Pacific Loons were observed.

Pac Loon 1 - juvenile - no photograph
Between 700-730, we observed a juvenile Pacific Loon on Offat's Bayou in front of the
Moody Gardens pyramid.  We observed it from across the bay along Hwy 87. This bird was
smaller than nearby Common Loons, had a S-shaped neck, clean vertical dermcation
between dark nape and pale throat (no notches in neck), small bill, very dark lores, and
dusky chin and throat.  The dusky chin and throat signified a juvenile.  At 730 AM, the
triathlon started with hundreds of swimmers, which startled the loon, causing it to take
flight.  In flight, the Pac Loon had small feet (unlike the heavy feet of Common) and
flapped its wings much faster than Common.  The bird flew off to the west.

Pac Loon 2 - adult basic - photographs (below)
After all the loons had been scared off by the triathletes, we drove down to 61st St and
scoped Offat's bayou from there. Within 2 minutes, we had discovered another Pacific
Loon, this time an adult basic.   Photographs are shown below.  The chinstrap can be
seen.

Adult basic Pacific Loon (left) with adult Common Loon in
transitional molt to alternate plumage (right)

Same adult basic Pacific Loon as above

13 April 2008
Andrew Birch, Blake Dyer and I revisited Offat's Bayou in Galveston TX and were able to
refind the two loons from March 30.  We were able to photograph the 2nd bird, which
presumably was a first year bird.  This bird is now getting breeding plumaged feathers on its
back (see below).  This bird seems to be smaller and daintier than the one above

4 May 2008 - Today, there were only 4 loons left on Offat's Bayou.  Only one of the Pacific
Loons remained, all other loons being Common.  The Pacific Loon is now in breeding
plumage.  Common Loon below for comparison.

Common Loon below