An Eye of Gold
In my last post I shared some shots of the winter ducks that have arrived at Cambridge’s Choptank River waterfront. Some of these winter ducks are venturing up Cambridge Creek. To my delight, some are coming up close enough to my balcony for me to watch and get some nice close-ups.
Because I’ve never had such an opportunity to photograph this duck, the first one I’m sharing is a male Common Goldeneye who has been hanging around the creek and below my balcony since the end of December. I can’t get enough of him.
Some of my favorite shots so far of this beautiful duck….
Common Goldeneye (male)
When the sun hits just right, the Common Goldeneye’s head casts an iridescent green coloring.
Common Goldeneye (male)
This fella was always providing some pretty water circles and wakes, enticing me to take a lot of photos.
Common Goldeneye (male)
The male’s crisp black and white contrasting feathers on his back is quite striking.
Common Goldeneye (male)
Common Goldeneye (male)
Scratchin’ an itch….
Common Goldeneye (male)
Spending the night in the glow of the pier light reflections.
An eye of gold…..
Common Goldeneye (male)
There hasn’t been any sighting on the creek of a female Common Goldeneye, but this male has been friendly and hanging with some other visiting ducks.
They’re beautiful Donna! Both the bird and water. Those eyes are amazing. ❤️😊
Thank you, John, he is a handsome fella! 😊
Such a beautiful duck! In my humble opinion, there is nothing “common” about this Common Goldeye. Thank you for sharing, and I hope your daughter is feeling better ❤
This duck sure does brighten a dull winter day! 🙂 Thank you again for thinking about our daughter, I’m headed back to her place this afternoon to stay a few days to help out. 😊
I’m sure she’ll appreciate it ❤
Wow! Lucky you! These are beautiful! My favorite is the 4th one, of the back with the ripples forming a circle around him but they are all wonderful. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Susan, with all the duck activity at the riverfront, I wondered if any wintering birds would venture into the creek. I am delighted of course with them all!
Excellent photos! This is a species that I do see here at about this time of year, but getting close to them here is all but impossible.
Thank you Terry! He is skittish here too, no one down below on the walking path can get near him. I have a couple wide pillars on my balcony I can sort of hide behind. 😉
I swear those guys know they are posing! You have nice highlights of the head and I like the circular ripples too! I know you will have fun photographing this entertaining character!
Thank you, Jane, this handsome fella has been a delight. He keeps providing me so many photo ops, then add in the water movements, which I love too!
Beautiful!
Thank you, Cindy!
It looks like he’s watching you. Now if only he had a camera… 😀
I best be careful, he just might have one too! hee hee
Love these ducks, they have a great courtship display.
I’ve seen their courtship display in video, and read there are 14 moves they perform. Pretty neat for such a little fella!
Great shots of the golden eye Donna!
Thank you, Ashley!
Easy to see where that one gets its name!
I read that the male’s eye can be seen quite far in the distance when in flight. 🙂
I believe it!
Wow! Beautiful photos!
Thank you, Hien!
Very beautiful. Such interesting water circles.
Thank you, Cornell!
Nice photos! Great that he is a photo subject right by your home!
Thanks, Reed! I am a delighted gal for sure! 😊
Wonderful photos Donna. A treat to see!
Thank you, Belinda, I’m still enjoying him, I hope he stays around and entices others to stop by. 🙂
This is a handsome duck! Good shots Donna. 🙂
Thank you, HJ, he has been and still is an enjoyable treat! 🙂
A handsome bird.
He certainly is, Ollie…..
I mean Tom! 😉
Very handsome, indeed!
He’s my favorite right now. 😊
Great photos of the goldeneye! I hope that a female arrives also so that you are able to photograph the male’s courting displays.
Thank you, Jerry, I would absolutely love that! 😊
The common golden eyes (male and female) are the first seabirds to arrive to our lake as soon as the ice is breaking up. I love your header, and for a second I thought the goldeneye’s head was a little penguin in his tail-coat and white shirt standing on a stone, haha… 🙂
How wonderful, they must be beautiful with the melting ice as a background! I had to go look at my header and by golly I see what you mean! 😉
That is a beautiful bird, Donna! I am happy they come close enough for these wonderful close-ups!
Thank you, Helen!
Wonderful shots of a great bird. Your fortunate to see it so close.
Thank you, Stephen, I do feel very lucky! I was watching him again this afternoon, he was just far enough away, I just enjoyed his beauty. 😊