King Eider (Somateria spectabilis) - 30Mar2017 & 23Jan2021

This amazing bird was in the Cape Cod channel in MA back in 2017 and I happened to be in Boston for a work trip.  So naturally I drove down and crushed it.  The flock of eiders was racing against the channel which was flowing at a really fast rate and by positioning myself 40 or so yards up the bank and staying very still, the flock approached and came to within spitting distance.

We have had a few King Eiders in NC but they have all been hens and always at a distance.  Here is one from 2021 in Avon, NC.

Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) - 12Feb2022 & 31Jan2023

I love watching grebes in general but this species is especially cool how they can submerge slowly like a submarine without diving.  Here is one from Airlie Gardens in Wilmington. 

And another shot locally in Wilmington. 

Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) - 29Jan2017

One species I can always count on in my yard.  On my prize live oak in front.

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) - 28Jan2017 & 30Apr2017

What can I say about Canada Geese that people don't already know?  Not much.  

Rogersville rd. in Wilmington in 2017.

Carolina Beach Lake, NC also in 2017.

Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides) - 21Jan2017 & 26Jan2019

I like to think of myself as a larophile, but I have to admit I was a bit relieved when they lumped Iceland and Thayers.  Also what's up with hybrids?  They should not be allowed to hybridize.

Here is a nice one from a Patteson Pelagic off Diamond Shoals in 2019.

This Iceland was at Cape Point, Buxton, NC.

Carolina Wren (Thrythorus ludovicianus) - 17Jan2017 & 01Jan2019

Don't take these little spunky birds for granted. They are one of the birds I will always be able to hear and they are not shy.  Taken at Wrightsville Beach, NC.  This one has a nice little spider snack.  I wonder if they can just eat any spider or do they have to avoid the more venomous ones?  Also, is that a seed stuck to his breast? 

Here is photo from my yard in Wilmington.

Pacific Loon (Gavia pacifica) - 02Feb2017 & 11Feb2020

Update 11Feb2020:

I finally had a nice encounter with a couple Pacific Loons that offered nice pic opportunities at the end of Johnnie Mercer's Pier.

Pacific on top, Common on bottom.

Two Pacific Loons in the same pic!

Old post from 2017:

I will crush one of these in NC one day, but until then here is one from Johnnie Mercer's pier in Wilmington, NC.

And another from January 2017 same spot.