Y Cymry
11-27-2010, 10:56 AM
I found the Oldsquaw first thing this morning in pond 15 rather than its usual pond 17. Literally the first bird I placed my binoculars on...what a surprise!
HEADS UP FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS: The duck prefers the near side of this pond next to the road and is often the closest duck to the road with perfect light behind you...Nuff said.;)
I'm not convinced yet that this might not be another individual. This one looks more like a winter female rather than the juvenile first seen two weeks ago. I was not able to find a second Long-tailed Duck to confirm this theory and have not compared photos yet. Likely the bird's molt has just progressed since I last saw it on the first weekend and is now more adult-like.
I'll add my images as I get them processed this afternoon.
Added comment (PM): A quick view of my images show that the duck is a subadult male just coming into winter plumage: the long white back plumes (scapulars) are just starting to show and white feathers are starting to peek through on the forehead and crown. So this is probably the same bird we have been seeing.
Hold the presses! (PM): I know I'm flip-flopping like a politician on 60Minutes, but after comparing my shots from today and all the images posted over the last two weeks I find it hard to believe that the Long-tailed Duck seen today is the same individual we have been seeing. Mine is just too black and contrasty compared to the first more sedate brownish individual. I'll let you all be the judge. Images are coming. I promise.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5002/5212787588_5d52d9559d_b.jpg
Good luck.
HEADS UP FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS: The duck prefers the near side of this pond next to the road and is often the closest duck to the road with perfect light behind you...Nuff said.;)
I'm not convinced yet that this might not be another individual. This one looks more like a winter female rather than the juvenile first seen two weeks ago. I was not able to find a second Long-tailed Duck to confirm this theory and have not compared photos yet. Likely the bird's molt has just progressed since I last saw it on the first weekend and is now more adult-like.
I'll add my images as I get them processed this afternoon.
Added comment (PM): A quick view of my images show that the duck is a subadult male just coming into winter plumage: the long white back plumes (scapulars) are just starting to show and white feathers are starting to peek through on the forehead and crown. So this is probably the same bird we have been seeing.
Hold the presses! (PM): I know I'm flip-flopping like a politician on 60Minutes, but after comparing my shots from today and all the images posted over the last two weeks I find it hard to believe that the Long-tailed Duck seen today is the same individual we have been seeing. Mine is just too black and contrasty compared to the first more sedate brownish individual. I'll let you all be the judge. Images are coming. I promise.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5002/5212787588_5d52d9559d_b.jpg
Good luck.