Surf Scoters
I just love the name! :). The brown ones are females, black with colourful beaks are males. I had to post this together with the following sitting shots as it shows the progressive stages of take off of these birds. It's awkward and they struggle to get lift off. They use their feet to run on top of the water until they are airborne. Note the front one is airborne. The ones immediately to the left and right are in running modes - water walking lightly on the top of the water. I like the technique of the one of the right - practiced perfection. The two males in the back are clumsy and slow, feet dragging, but eventually they achieve lift off. A fun thing to watch. I only wish I had taken a video at some point. I keep forgetting I have video mode on this camera.
Surf Scoters
I just love the name! :). The brown ones are females, black with colourful beaks are males. I had to post this together with the following sitting shots as it shows the progressive stages of take off of these birds. It's awkward and they struggle to get lift off. They use their feet to run on top of the water until they are airborne. Note the front one is airborne. The ones immediately to the left and right are in running modes - water walking lightly on the top of the water. I like the technique of the one of the right - practiced perfection. The two males in the back are clumsy and slow, feet dragging, but eventually they achieve lift off. A fun thing to watch. I only wish I had taken a video at some point. I keep forgetting I have video mode on this camera.