Northern Shoveler at Blackwater NWR

I met Graeme early this morning and we headed to Blackwater for the morning.

We saw Eagles right away, as well as a thousand or more Snow Geese, Pelicans, Ducks and miscellaneous passerines.

Afterward, we stopped at Oakley street for some cool duck closeups.

A day at Blackwater is always worthwhile.

Hugh 2016-1

Graeme Simpson 2016-1

Graeme Simpson and I at Oakley Street.

Mallard 2016-15

Mallard 2016-16

Mallards were plentiful.

American Wigeon 2016-4 American Wigeon 2016-6

American Wigeon 2016-5

You can almost always find American Wigeons at Blackwater in the winter.

Greater Scaup 2016-7

Greater Scaup 2016-8

This Greater Scaup posed in perfect light.

Canvasback 2016-7

This Canvasback was at Oakley Street.

Bald Eagle 2016-16 Bald Eagle 2016-15

Bald Eagle 2016-17

Bald Eagles are always prolific at Blackwater.

Great Blue Heron 2016-5

We got quite close to this Great Blue Heron, who didn’t move at all.

Field Sparrow 2016-1

I found this Field Sparrow by the side of the road.

Tundra Swan 2016-17

There were several hundred Tundra Swans.

Snow Goose 2016-6

Snow Goose 2016-7

Snow Geese flew right over our heads.

 

Snow Goose 2016-8

Thousands of Snow Geese and Tundra Swans spend the Winter months at Blackwater.

Northern Pintail 2016-6

We found only one flock of Northern Pintails.

Redhead 2016-1

Redhead 2016-2

Of the hundred or so ducks, we saw only one Redhead.

Northern Shoveler 2016-1

Northern Shoveler 2016-2

There were only 6-8 Northern Shovelers.