Shoveler, Goldeneye, & Long-Tailed Ducks
Three more winter ducks that are departing the Chesapeake Bay region to head back to their summer breeding grounds are Northern Shovelers, Long-tailed Ducks, and Common Goldeneyes.
The Northern Shovelers will be heading back to the northern mid-West United States and Canada for their summer mating.
Northern Shovelers
Northern Shovelers
Northern Shovelers
Northern Shovelers at Blackwater NWR
As I mentioned in previous posts, we had the privilege of watching a male Common Goldeneye spend much of his winter on Cambridge Creek. He will be migrating back to Canada for his summer.
Common Goldeneye (male)
Common Goldeneye (male)
Common Goldeneye (male)
A drive down to Hoopers Island netted me this pair of Common Goldeneyes.
Common Goldeneyes (female & male)
And last for this post, but not least, is this handsome male Long-tailed Duck who also spent a lot of his winter on Cambridge Creek. His summer breeding grounds are in the Artic. He sure has a long way to go!
Long-tailed Duck
Long-Tailed Duck
Long-tailed Duck (male)
Long-tailed Duck diving
This post leaves me with the Lesser Scaup for my last ‘winter duck’ posts. Although most have already departed, we still have a few Scaup stragglers hanging out on the creek.
Along with a pair of new arrivals….. 😊
Lovely to see such excellent shots of these duck we never see here Donna!
Thank you, Ashley!
I’m fascinated by the long-tail!
I have been too, he has been quite special! 🙂
It must be quite sad to see them all go – though I suppose it’s only fair that you share the joy! I love that last picture of the long tailed duck disappearing. (Even I can recognise that one now 😊). Can’t wait to see who’s arrived…
I do have a tinge of sadness….then I tell myself, new species are arriving and these winter ducks will definitely be back in 8-9 months! And if I can help another learn a little more about any one bird, I am super happy, Mike! 😊 Post on new arrivals by Saturday I hope! Still processing and IDing…..
Very Nice Series! Great shots!
Thank you, Reed!
A great post to bid farewell to your winter visitors!
Thank you, Denise, they’ve been fun!
Great series to end the winter migration with! I have yet to see a Long Tail Duck. This one is lovely!
Thank you, Deborah! I went bonkers over that LTDuck all winter, just wishing he’d come over to my side of the creek when I was watching. 🙂
Lol! Oh, how I can relate! I had an experience like that with a canvas back Duck once. I am glad your patience paid off.
The only great thing about losing the winter ducks, is the arrival of spring. Fantastic duck photos, Donna. And lucky you, having the long-tails in town. They’re all so dapper.
Thank you, Jet! Yes, and Spring’s arrival brings back our summer birds, including the Osprey. The LTDuck being a bit of a rarity for our populated area, I had a personal love for him on our creek all winter. Indeed dapper! 😊
What a magnificent Long-Tailed Duck! I don’t think I’ve ever seen one that close. Love the Shovelers too.
Thank you, Lisa! All winter long, I was constantly ‘sweet-talking’ the LTDuck for him to come over to our side of the creek while I’m watching him. I was so thankful when he finally did!
All creatures love praise. 🙂
Yes they do! ❤
Loved your final photo, but super excited waiting for your next post. The anticipation is building….
Thank you, Chris, I loved how that long little tail on the LTDuck would flip water when he dived, I finally nailed a shot of it. 🙂 Working on next post today…… 😊
It’s a good feeling to see these birds before they continue their journeys to such long distant places. Then, later, next year, start all over again!
As always, Donna, your photos are excellent. Thank you so much for the post. 🙂
Thank you, HJ, and you’re welcome! It is a good feeling! The winter ducks have been super-fun and entertaining; and, yes, knowing they will be back is just amazing!
I loved that last picture.
Tail-flippin’ fun!
Migration seems like such a huge miracle to me and we get to witness it twice a year – how wonderful is that? 🙂
It is super-amazing to me as well, and an absolute wonder! We are blessed with migrations and what it offers us in sights, sounds, and knowledge of wildlife. 🙂
I like the close-up on the long-tailed duck-such nice markings. The head of the shoveller is like velvet when the sun hits it and that dapper pair of Common Goldeneyes excite me to think of their upcoming antics.
Thank you, Jane! I would love to see all these ducks during breeding, their plumage becomes even more beautiful as you know. Lucky you to see so many of them and their offspring cuties.
I will be sure to try to post any photo s as they arrive, breed and raise their offspring.
Lovely pictures of your ‘winter ducks’, Donna. The last picture made me chuckle 🙂
Thank you, Helen! 🙂
I’m still learning to differentiate these, but I have a long way to go yet. Thanks for helping out in that direction! 😀
I’ll help with the ducks if you help with the hummingbirds! 😀
A great range of ducks and magnificent photos.
Thank you very much, it is ‘duck heaven’ around the Chesapeake Bay region each winter!
Wow! Now those are some good photos! Just out of curiosity, what camera did you use?
Thank you, Tom! For those, I used my Nikon D200 and lens Nikon AF-S VR-Nikkor 70-200mm F2.8 combined with a Nikon Teleconverter 1.7.