How can I miss you if you don’t go away – or so the song goes. And for the Pacific loons in the Salish Sea, this is the time of year they actually do go away, far away to the Arctic to nest and make families. In summer, Pacific loons are anything but Pacific, staying around deep lakes on the arctic tundra and boreal forests far away from the ocean. Once their family is raised and on their own, these birds head for the Pacific Coast to spend the winter. We are part of the Pacific Coast and so get our share of them here throughout the cold months where you can see these birds out in the bays in deeper water diving for a meal. You can easily spot them as they have the habit of dipping their head underwater repeatedly as they check for the flash of a fish, then dive quickly to chase it.

 

Winter plumage for Pacific loons (also known as Pacific divers) are drab brownish gray, but in spring and before migration north, these birds take on a very elegant set of feathers. I couldn’t help myself, I just wanted to paint them that way instead of what we’ve seen for the past few months. If you know what the larger common loon looks like, you can see a family similarity. In my mind, these birds have the definition of elegance and sophistication, but a smaller sleeker version of the common loon. Pacific loons may mate for life, and you’ll often see pairs together, like long-distant travelers sharing their world together. Look for these birds as you sail across current rips and eddies where they spend much of their time looking to catch disoriented forage fish. Notice their head shape. This time of year, their colors may be changing but that profile is key indicator of a Pacific loon.

 

Larry Eifert paints and writes about the Pacific Northwest from Port Townsend. His large-scale murals can be seen in many national parks across America, and at larryeifert.com.

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