Cuties of the Creek

We’ve had a wonderful mix of winter water birds here on Cambridge Creek these past few months.

It’s the three little ones that win the Cutie Contest! Here’s my latest favorite shots to share.

There’s the adorable, amusing Buffleheads….
Length – 12.6-15.8″ (32-40 cm)
Weight – 9.6-22.4 oz (272-635 g)
Wingspan – 21.6″ (55 cm)

Bufflehead (female)

Bufflehead (male)

Bufflehead (male) with Lesser Scaup (male)

the charming Ruddy Ducks….
Length – 13.8-16.9″ (32-40 cm)
Weight – 10.6-30 oz (272-635 g)
Wingspan – 22.1-24.4″ (56-62 cm)

Ruddy Duck (male)

Ruddy Duck napping (female)

Female Ruddy Duck stretch

Female Ruddy Duck ‘smile’

Female Ruddy Duck stretching and smiling for the camera

“Paddlin’ During Nap Time”

and the delightful and smallest of the three, a Pied-Billed Grebe:
Length – 11.8-15″ (30-38 cm)
Weight – 8.9-20 oz (253-568 g)
Wingspan – 17.7-24.4″ (45-62 cm)

Pied-billed Grebe

I think you’ll agree with me on these three Cambridge Creek Cutie Contest winners! 😊

Tags: Bufflehead, Cambridge, cambridge creek, Eastern Shore, grebe, Maryland, pied-billed grebe, reflection, reflections, ruddy duck, water, wildlife

38 thoughts on “Cuties of the Creek”

blhphotoblog on 03/09/2019 at 8:25 AM said:

Beautiful selection and great images!

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- bayphotosbydonna on 03/09/2019 at 8:48 PM said:
  
  Thank you, Brian! Cheers!
  
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Isabel F. Bernaldo de Quirós on 03/09/2019 at 8:40 AM said:

Beautiful birds! Thank you, Donna.

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- bayphotosbydonna on 03/09/2019 at 8:48 PM said:
  
  Thank you, Isabel, and you’re most welcome!
  
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pattyanneart on 03/09/2019 at 9:29 AM said:

Definitely are cuties! 😍
Beautiful photos, thanks for sharing, Donna.

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- bayphotosbydonna on 03/09/2019 at 8:50 PM said:
  
  They provide a constant “Awwwwww” to the creek. 😊 Thank you, Patty Anne, and you’re most welcome!
  
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Susan Hale on 03/09/2019 at 9:33 AM said:

Great shots, Donna! We have had all of those in our cove except the pied billed grebe. We had a pair of horned grebes briefly, but our main winter visitors have been a large group of lesser scaups -more than any other year that we have been here. Thanks, as always, for sharing!

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- bayphotosbydonna on 03/09/2019 at 8:52 PM said:
  
  Thank you, Susan, and you’re welcome! All the grebes are rather cute, nice to have a pair of Horned Grebes. I am gathering from info here that the large group of Lesser Scaup we have this winter is also more than any other year. Hmmmm….interesting!
  
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John on 03/09/2019 at 10:01 AM said:

They are all adorable birds! 😮🙏🏻❤️☺️

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- bayphotosbydonna on 03/09/2019 at 8:52 PM said:
  
  Thank you much, John! 😊
  
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Jet Eliot on 03/09/2019 at 10:51 AM said:

Oh, I heartily concur, Donna. Great photos. I like that you caught the light just right on the third bufflehead, to capture that moment of green. And the rippling in the water of several of the photos is beautiful. I do love all three of these little ducks.

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- bayphotosbydonna on 03/09/2019 at 8:56 PM said:
  
  Thank you, Jet! It’s been a challenge trying to get that green sheen on the Buffleheads, lol, I was glad that one turned out nicely. With the water ripples, oh my, I’m always having fun with the duck wakes and lighting. 😊
  
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anotherday2paradise on 03/09/2019 at 10:59 AM said:

Such cutie pies, Donna. 😍

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- bayphotosbydonna on 03/09/2019 at 8:56 PM said:
  
  Most definitely, Sylvia, thank you! 😊
  
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creatingmindblog on 03/09/2019 at 11:39 AM said:

You’re right on! They are very cute 🙂

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- bayphotosbydonna on 03/09/2019 at 8:57 PM said:
  
  Thank you, I love when I am right! (ask my hubby, lol) 😊 Oh, but they are so cute.
  
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Jane's Heartsong on 03/09/2019 at 5:27 PM said:

They are cute. I find it interesting to see the ducks in their pre-breeding plumage.

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- bayphotosbydonna on 03/09/2019 at 9:01 PM said:
  
  Thank you, Jane, I’m sure you do. Soon they will be returning and transforming into colorful plumages for you that we miss getting to see. We still enjoy their winter residency here! 😉
  
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H.J. for avian101 on 03/09/2019 at 5:51 PM said:

The creek is like a treasure chest, it has so many gems! Excellent gallery. Thank you Donna. 🙂

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- bayphotosbydonna on 03/09/2019 at 9:04 PM said:
  
  Thank you, HJ, I went into the winter season wondering if the creek attracted any migrators, and I have been super thrilled with the results. It truly has been like a creek chest full of gems, beautifully said, my friend! 😊
  
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tootlepedal on 03/09/2019 at 5:58 PM said:

I agree absolutely.

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- bayphotosbydonna on 03/09/2019 at 9:05 PM said:
  
  I am glad!
  
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montucky on 03/09/2019 at 11:00 PM said:

They are indeed cuties! I can’t remember ever meeting a duck that I didn’t like.

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- bayphotosbydonna on 03/10/2019 at 7:07 AM said:
  
  Me either! 😊 Thanks, Terry!
  
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  - Reed Andariese on 03/10/2019 at 7:48 AM said:
    
    Nice Donna! Great images! You get quite a variety there!
    
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    - bayphotosbydonna on 03/10/2019 at 5:53 PM said:
      
      Thank you, Reed, I am thrilled with the variety!
      
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aussiebirder on 03/10/2019 at 1:57 PM said:

A beautiful array of your waterbirds Donna, and yes they are cute, like little rubber duckies you could put in the bath tub.. We do not see any of these birds here, so it is good that you showcase them for us Donna.

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- bayphotosbydonna on 03/10/2019 at 5:58 PM said:
  
  Thank you, Ashley! I am happy to show you our little cuties! 😊
  
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Gunta on 03/11/2019 at 2:20 AM said:

My favorite is the Buffleheads, though the Pied-billed Grebe comes in a very close second. They’re just too darned cute!

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- bayphotosbydonna on 03/11/2019 at 7:16 AM said:
  
  I knew yours & Eric’s love for the Buffleheads and I can’t blame you! Not only are they so adorable & entertaining, I love watching them land, ‘gliding’ on top of the water to a stop. All these cuties are like having ducklings year-round. 🙂
  
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T Ibara Photo on 03/11/2019 at 4:32 AM said:

They are adorable indeed ❤ ❤ Cute, but also very tough! 😀

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- bayphotosbydonna on 03/11/2019 at 9:19 AM said:
  
  Thank you, Takami! Yes, they are tough little cuties indeed! 😊
  
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Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog on 03/11/2019 at 5:50 PM said:

Some of them look like stuffed carnival toys! 🙂

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- bayphotosbydonna on 03/12/2019 at 7:44 PM said:
  
  They sure do! 😊
  
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tanjabrittonwriter on 03/12/2019 at 5:25 PM said:

You get no argument from me, Donna. 😊

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- bayphotosbydonna on 03/12/2019 at 7:56 PM said:
  
  So glad, Tanja! 😊
  
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dhphotosite on 03/13/2019 at 4:32 PM said:

They are cuties!

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- bayphotosbydonna on 03/14/2019 at 5:04 PM said:
  
  Little ‘full-time’ ducklings! 😉
  
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