[Grant]

Nope -- definitely not Mergansers (although we see a lot of mom & babies/youngsters parading along the shore each summer -- often as many as 15). These were no doubt common loons. You could tell right away, but since I'd never seen so many together at once (let alone more than two or three), I picked up the binoculars and got a good look, because the first thought was "Mergansers." Been on the Lake 45 years, and never saw so many together...and probably never will again! Granted, they were spread out over an area of, say, 20 yards by 20 yards, sometimes more as they drifted along, but they were pretty much hanging together, and definitely loons. It was over July 4th weekend, and my mom saw them with me. About 6:30 AM. It was amazing.