Northern Shoveler (m + f)
Northern Shoveler / spatula clypeata. Straws Bridge, Derbyshire. 09/12/22.
'STRICTLY PAIR BONDING ON ICE.'
The ice on a local lake had started to break up a little and fragment in one sunny place.
These Shovelers looked as if they dare not risk sharing one unstable slab. Instead they chose to rest as close as they could, on separate pieces. It appears their pair bonding is strictly maintained during the winter, whatever the conditions.
Northern Shoveler (m + f)
Northern Shoveler / spatula clypeata. Straws Bridge, Derbyshire. 09/12/22.
'STRICTLY PAIR BONDING ON ICE.'
The ice on a local lake had started to break up a little and fragment in one sunny place.
These Shovelers looked as if they dare not risk sharing one unstable slab. Instead they chose to rest as close as they could, on separate pieces. It appears their pair bonding is strictly maintained during the winter, whatever the conditions.