NB. One of my experienced ornitholigists and trusted advisors has pointed out that this is a first winter male not a female. Apparently the female would not have a white spot on the side of the head and its all brown.
This first winter male Goldeneye has been on the largest of the lakes in the Parkland for a few days now.
She keeps company with a small flock of Tufted Duck.
Getting close to her for photographs even with a 70-400mm lens was not easy.
Like the Tuftis, she prefers diving for food near the lakes edge which is more shallow.
However if you approach she will move out into deeper waters.
The main reason why I didn't get many side shots of course.
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| Hitting a Bow wave |
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| Note the head plumage |
Lovely duck to see Roy, even though she wouldn't face the camera... :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Tricia.
DeleteGood shots Roy.
ReplyDeleteSmart looking ducks; I love watching the males displaying at this time of the year.
Thanks Keith.
DeleteYou did well to get these 'close' shots Roy, they're what I call middle of the lake ducks!
ReplyDeleteDon't be duped by those Snowdrops, there's more winter (snow) to come yet!!...[;o)
Thanks Trevor, yes thats a really good name for them.
DeleteVery good shots Roy, especially considering the difficulties of trying to photograph what is always a rather shy species. I have been thinking of getting a bridge camera again and I wonder how that would have compared?
ReplyDeleteLovely to see the cheering snowdrops too!
Hope you are well and kindest regards to all :-)
Thanks David, The bridge cameras have certainly improved a lot over the years and cover a wide range of photographic tasks well. You may struggle at the long end of the lens for clarity, but it would be OK for posting.
DeleteCan't believe the Snowdrops in January!
ReplyDeleteThats when we usually get them FG.
DeleteSuperb duck Roy.
ReplyDeleteI would like to photograph this bird.
Hugs
Thank Nathalie.
DeleteMy snowdrops are blooming inthe garden.Ilove the Goldeneye Roy.
ReplyDeleteThanks Margaret.
DeleteA lovely set of images Roy, I like the Bow wave one especially.
ReplyDeleteThanks Suzie.
DeleteHope you don't mind me saying Roy, but the bird is a first-winter male, not a female, that is why it looks a bit drab. Told by the white loral spot on the birds' head, a female has an all brown head. Still great photos though!
ReplyDeleteJ
Follow me at HEDGELAND TALES
Thanks for putting me right John.
DeleteI need to study birds a bit more and take a few photos less I think.{:))
Kind regards
Roy
Hey Roy... Ooop's I could have told you that ;). Darn I need to get to checking post's more often.
ReplyDeleteWe have Barrows, and common Goldeneye. Had a few common at the river, and a near by pond all fall.
Great photos, and love the combination with the, what I call Snow Drops!
Grace
Thanks GG, yes I call them Snowdrops as well.{:))
DeleteWell done and exciting to have a Goldeneye there (unless this is common of course!). I have not seen any since we left the Geneva area nearly 12 years ago. It's a shame I was not into photography back then as there were large flocks of Goldeneye on the lake every winter (and Goosanders were common as muck and quite tame and would be right at the waters edge in town.... darn it!). No idea where to go to see birds like Mergansers and Goosanders any more. :-(
ReplyDeleteThanks Mandy. We usually see one or two during the Winter but nothing more than that.
DeleteYes I wish I had taken up nature photography much earlier in life.
The only one that had seen ... it was on the James Bond movie...
ReplyDeleteVery much different, from this one!... :-P
Without joking... another brilliant work here, Roy!
Thanks Ana.{:))
DeleteI love both the goldeneye and the snowdrops. My snowdrops are still hidden under the snow.
ReplyDelete