If you had lost half a gallon of coolant externally, you would both see and smell it.
This leaves either an internal leak, or the system had an air pocket in it that got burped out during your drive.
Given your recent coolant flush, the most likely cause is an air pocket. Nothing to worry about.
You should, however, check your oil, just in case. An internal leak of half a gallon of coolant would show up as milk shake.
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