Winter Oldsquaw
I was excited to see this non-breeding winter plumage Long-tailed Duck (formerly called "Oldsquaw"), on two separate days. Unfortunately the days were dark and cloudy and he stayed mostly out of range for my 100-400mm lens. This cropped image was the best I could get on day 2 for my Life Bird Photograph #147. Tomorrow I'll post the image from the first day.
This small diving duck reportedly can dive up to 200 feet to feed on aquatic plants and small invertebrates. Females and young males do not have a long tail, and the male's tail is often underwater when swimming. Males develop a pinkish band on the bill, visible in the picture.
There was only one of these ducks seen among the hundreds of Ruddy Ducks and up to a hundred Bufflehead and other ducks.
Winter Oldsquaw
I was excited to see this non-breeding winter plumage Long-tailed Duck (formerly called "Oldsquaw"), on two separate days. Unfortunately the days were dark and cloudy and he stayed mostly out of range for my 100-400mm lens. This cropped image was the best I could get on day 2 for my Life Bird Photograph #147. Tomorrow I'll post the image from the first day.
This small diving duck reportedly can dive up to 200 feet to feed on aquatic plants and small invertebrates. Females and young males do not have a long tail, and the male's tail is often underwater when swimming. Males develop a pinkish band on the bill, visible in the picture.
There was only one of these ducks seen among the hundreds of Ruddy Ducks and up to a hundred Bufflehead and other ducks.