"Get With the Program Mister"
Out of range of my lens, there was a large raft of Northern Shovelers. Nearly all of the males, either solitary or in pairs with hens, had the characteristic green head.
This pair shows a drake (the one behind with the black bill) in so-called "eclipse plumage", meaning non-mating. However, by looking at the picture in largest size, traces of the green can be seen among the dark gray/black. So, he is either "on the way", too old/young, or has completed mating. Whatever the reason, he is out of sync with the rest of the flock, which may be why this pair was separated from the rest.
"Get With the Program Mister"
Out of range of my lens, there was a large raft of Northern Shovelers. Nearly all of the males, either solitary or in pairs with hens, had the characteristic green head.
This pair shows a drake (the one behind with the black bill) in so-called "eclipse plumage", meaning non-mating. However, by looking at the picture in largest size, traces of the green can be seen among the dark gray/black. So, he is either "on the way", too old/young, or has completed mating. Whatever the reason, he is out of sync with the rest of the flock, which may be why this pair was separated from the rest.