The Buffleheads
No, this is not the title of a new television sitcom, but rather the name of the ducks that arrive very late in the year on their migration from breeding grounds in Alaska and Canada to unfrozen waters. The smallest of the North American diving ducks, their stay is brief...only a few weeks until the lake freezes over. This stylized photo of a segment of the flock was taken from my deck two days ago on the last day of open water. (Original in comments) I was pleased to count upwards of 50 specimens this year after a number of consecutive years of diminished numbers.
Fascinating to watch, they function almost as a single unit, their movement and diving highly synchronized. Skittish, upon approach in the canoe, they emerge from the water as one and fly just over the surface to a less bothersome section of the lake, free of such annoyances. Another of the now expected and eagerly anticipated annual events, this delightful species has been gracing these waters for a very long time, fossils dating back 500,000 years having been found.
The Buffleheads
No, this is not the title of a new television sitcom, but rather the name of the ducks that arrive very late in the year on their migration from breeding grounds in Alaska and Canada to unfrozen waters. The smallest of the North American diving ducks, their stay is brief...only a few weeks until the lake freezes over. This stylized photo of a segment of the flock was taken from my deck two days ago on the last day of open water. (Original in comments) I was pleased to count upwards of 50 specimens this year after a number of consecutive years of diminished numbers.
Fascinating to watch, they function almost as a single unit, their movement and diving highly synchronized. Skittish, upon approach in the canoe, they emerge from the water as one and fly just over the surface to a less bothersome section of the lake, free of such annoyances. Another of the now expected and eagerly anticipated annual events, this delightful species has been gracing these waters for a very long time, fossils dating back 500,000 years having been found.