Bad photos, I know, but a life bird. I am hoping the white throat is enough to cinch it on photos alone, but it also sang repeatedly and the song doesn’t match any other candidate. Merlin confirmed the song as well, and if I can figure out how I could share that audio here.
I actually heard this thing making its way through fallen leaves, and sought out the source of the sound.
The dark duck with a white patch on the nape in the middle of the photo
The loon with the thinner bill on the right next to the Common Loon