Lesser Scaup
The last of the beautiful winter ducks have departed the Chesapeake Bay region, leaving a few stragglers here and there for whatever reasons.
The most of any one winter duck visiting in our local area were Lesser Scaup. I got so many wonderful captures of them, it was hard cutting down my final ones to these.
Lesser Scaup males vying for a female’s attention
Female Lesser Scaup and her entourage
Lesser Scaup (female)
Lesser Scaup (male)
The United States harbors Lesser Scaup year-round in parts of Washington and Oregon, but the rest of the country’s winter visiting Lesser Scaup migrate back to breed in Montana, Wyoming, and Canada.
Lesser Scaup in flight
Lesser Scaup landing
Lesser Scaup landing
Lesser Scaup landing
Lesser Scaup taking off at sunset
Lesser Scaup taking off after sunset
Lesser Scaup taking off after sunset
Lesser Scaup taking off at sunset
Female Lesser Scaup coming in for a landing
Female Lesser Scaup landing
Female Lesser Scaup landing
Female Lesser Scaup landing
Female Lesser Scaup landing with reflections
Female Lesser Scaup coming in for a landing
Female Lesser Scaup landing
Female Lesser Scaup landing
Female Lesser Scaup landing with reflections
Male Lesser Scaup landing
Lesser Scaup (male) coming in for a landing
Lesser Scaup (male) preparing to land
Lesser Scaup (male) landing
Lesser Scaup are the most abundant diving duck in North America, with a breeding population estimated at 3.8 million.
Male Lesser Scaup popping up from a dive
Male Lesser Scaup popping up from a dive
Male Lesser Scaup up and ready for another dive
Male Lesser Scaup “popping back up” from a dive for food
Way too many photos, sorry!
“Yes, Donna, too many photos!”
Lesser Scaup (male)
Lesser Scaup (male)
How nice to know they will be back late Fall the end of this year!
