Surf Scoters
Two summers ago, I photographed my first Surf Scoters at a distance from a public berm at the end of Tilghman’s Island, Maryland. I didn’t know what species they were but it was the male’s quirky bright-colored beak and bright white spot on the back of his black head that caught my eye in the water.
When I got home and identified them, I discovered they were on the list of annual local sightings on Marshy Creek at the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center across the water from me. Now how could I have missed seeing that bright beak from my balcony the previous two winters?!
My eye has improved. 😉 I have since seen Surf Scoters numerous times from my balcony this and last winter. They don’t tend to come too close to our shore here but I’ve still enjoyed watching them with binoculars. They raft close together and take turns diving for food while the others keep moving. This season I started seeing them a week before Christmas.
Here’s a series of shots from different days which most times were cloudy. 😦 I cropped some a bit much and lost clarity, but I wanted to showcase that cool-looking beak for those that have never seen it.
Raft of Surf Scoters
You’ll notice in this photo the juvenile males don’t have the white spot on the back of the head yet but their beaks are beginning to turn to orange.
How ’bout that beak? 🙂 I hope you enjoyed the Surf Scoter, thanks for stopping by!
Very cool bird! I’ve never seen this type of waterfowl before….thanks!
Thanks Joleen! First time I saw one, I did a double-take on that colorful beak myself!
Nice shots Donna! I’ve seen those in pictures only. One day…. 🙂
Thanks HJ, one day for sure for you! 🙂
Remarkable! Thanks. Love the face-on shot (5th photo).
Thanks Martha! 🙂
Nice collection Donna! I too like the 5th shot the best: the head-on shot.
Thanks Steve! It’s always cool to get a stare-down shot! 🙂
Haven’t seen these for a couple of years. Glad to note they have the sense to go south.
Thanks Jane, glad they go south too so we get to see them!
Great photos of what for me have been hard to photograph birds! I’ve seen them, but haven’t gotten close enough to them for photos yet.
Thanks Jerry, you’ll luck one day with your new gear and your expertise! I wish they had been closer to me, so someday I hope!
Love the colors!!!
Thanks!
Gorgeous captures of a whole flock! Here are my husband’s captures of a Surf Scoter pretty close-up from July 2012 visiting our beach on the Eastern Bay. Such a cute bird! http://theeasternbay.com/surf-scoter/
Hi Amanda, so sorry I missed coming back to your comment, I have been trying several different days to check your link but the photos do not load. I see I commented back then and saw them!
Oh, I enjoyed! Your enthusiasm shows in your pictures.
I can get a little too excited for my britches! LOL
I’m occasionally glad I don’t have an audience on some sightings.
Love their bright orange beaks! Margie
Pretty cool, aren’t they! 🙂
Really cool birds! That’s a very ornate beak!
Thanks Terry! Ornate IS the perfect word to describe their beak!!
I’ve never seen as Surf Scoter before, and I enjoyed seeing them in the photos. The diversity of birds in your area is just amazing.
Thanks Deb, we are fortunate with the diversity! And there’s more species that I’ve yet to sight, it’s amazing.