This Sharp-Shinned Hawk was badly back-lit, so I wasn’t sure what I was looking at until I used the camera to get a closer look.

This is probably a young Herring Gull.

Lesser Scaup continue to be good subjects.

There are usually a few Common Goldeneye around.

I didn’t notice this Surf Scoter until I uploaded the images.

You don’t always get to see the Long Tail that gives this duck his name.

This Hooded Merganser was hanging out with his mate.

I saw Red Breasted Mergansers at Quiet Waters and Thomas Point.

Canvasbacks seem to prefer the quiet coves to the open bay.

From Wikipedia:
“The Gadwall breeds in the northern areas of Europe and Asia, and central North America. In North America, its breeding range lies along the Saint Lawrence River, through the Great Lakes, Alberta, Saskatchewan, the Dakotas, south to Kansas, west to California, and along coastal Pacific Canada and southern coastal Alaska.[2][4] The range of this bird appears to be expanding into eastern North America. This dabbling duck is strongly migratory, and winters farther south than its breeding range, from coastal Alaska, south into Central America, and east into Idaho, Kansas, Ohio, Virginia, and then south all the way into Central America.[2][4] Its conservation status is Least Concern.[1]

There was an early Osprey reported at Quiet Waters yesterday, but I didn’t find it. I settled for this pair of Red Breasted Mergansers.

Wikipedia:
“The Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) is a small North American diving duck that migrates south as far as Central America in winter. It is colloquially known as the Little Bluebill or Broadbill because of its distinctive blue bill. The origin of the name scaup may stem from the bird’s preference for feeding on scalp – the Scottish word for clams, oysters, and mussels, however, some give it credit to the female’s discordant scaup call as the name’s source.[1] It is apparently a very close relative of the Holarctic Greater Scaup or “bluebill” (A. marila), with which it forms a superspecies.[2]”

The interplay of light and water is fascinating.

Still water with Mallards.

The only time this Hooded Merganser got closer, I scared him off.

Many birds were flying about, so I stayed a while to try for some flight photos.

Bald Eagle:just to prove I saw him.

Ever wonder why it’s called, “Long Tailed”?

Canvasbacks often assume this posture, and I don’t know what it’s about.

I often see Great Blue Herons in the quiet coves.

As is usual with the Belted Kingfisher, I heard this bird long before I saw him.
I watched him for 15 minutes or so as he flew back and forth in the cove.

The Lesser Scaup continues to pose readily.

3-4 Common Goldeneyes were fishing right off the point.

Long Tailed Ducks are still present in small numbers.

Mallards are a striking sight in flight.

One of several hundred Canvasbacks sheltering in the cove.

I don’t know if these Canvasbacks are sleeping or just trying to stay warm.

Just a portion of the large flock of Canvasbacks.

I’m trying to get an ID for this duck. Update: Ruddy Duck.

Groups of birds flew in and out of the flock occasionally.

These Canvasbacks flew overhead near Thomas Point.

I’ve often overlooked the Bufflehead hen, who’s not as striking as her mate.

This Common Goldeneye stayed unusually close to shore.

There always seems to be a few Lesser Scaup around.

Here’s a good luck at a Long Tailed Duck.

This Common Goldeneye is a hen, and I haven’t seen many.

The lighting could be better, but this Lesser Scaup shows up well.

I saw these Hooded Mergansers from a distance, and they flew away when I tried to get closer.

The White Breasted Nuthatch is a noisy bird, so I heard this little guy long before he landed right above my head.

I was excited to find a flock of Red Breasted Mergansers in a cove, and I followed them for quite a while. It was interesting to see them travel with their heads underwater as they searched for food.They appeared to be catching small fish.

And a Bluebird.

Mrs. Dearborn took these images about 40 years ago, when the gathering of waterfowl was much greater than it is today.

This is a Lesser Scaup, and I confess the lighting intrigued me more than the bird.

This mixed group of Scaup and Buffleheads seemed to be enjoying the weather.

Follow the leader?

My books suggest that Long Tailed Ducks seldom mix with other birds.

A lot of Bluebirds were around, in small flocks.

The Black Duck is about as plain as a duck can get.

I often find Ruddy Ducks at the Possum Point marina.

It’s not hard to find a Canada Goose at this time of year.

I’ve often seen Osprey perched in these tall towers, but this Bald Eagle is a first.

This Downy Woodpecker flew into the scene when I was looking at the Bluebirds.

Cornell:
“Along with Wood Ducks and other cavity-nesting ducks, Hooded Mergansers often lay their eggs in other females’ nests. This is called “brood parasitism” and is similar to the practice of Brown-headed Cowbirds, except that the ducks only lay eggs in nests of their own species. Female Hooded Mergansers can lay up to about 13 eggs in a clutch, but nests have been found with up to 44 eggs in them.

The ducks at Thomas Point move with the current, and they often fly short distances, presumably to return to the best feeding spot, like this Bufflehead.

The resident Cardinal is still seeking to do battle with his rival in my mirror.

There’s almost always a Lesser Scaup hen close to shore.

I observed this Long Tailed Duck and his mate for several minutes, and I was struck by the fact that they seemed to dive in near unison.

The drake is tipping up prior to diving, and you can see the swirl behind him where the hen just dove.

The Tundra Swan is all grace and beauty.

This Canvasback hen was hanging out with a mixed flock of waterfowl.

Canvasback drake.

I was lucky to notice this Horned Grebe at the edge of the flock.

Lesser Scaup:Just because I like the lens flare.

In the past, I’ve seem Hooded Mergansers in pairs or singly, so it’s a treat to see small flocks.

The male Hooded Merganser is much more striking, but the female has her own beauty.

Better light would have helped, but these Lesser Scaup still look pretty good.

This Long Tailed Duck was foraging in the shallows, and I nearly walked right by her.