Double Blessings

I was all set to feature the Loon, a bird I've never seen before, but the poor thing got bumped to the Extras by the extraordinary hawk assembly overlooking our neighbor's yard. First the one hawk, making plaintive little sounds, then the smaller more mottled and colorful bird arrived. I'm guessing parent and child.

The loon, if you can zoom in, has the most amazing colors and patterns. I think it is a Pacific Loon, but none of my photos reveal the front of the neck, where there should be a tiny necklace of black and white. It was sitting with the sea lions on the launching dock of the wharf, perfectly happy to be surrounded by very large animals.