Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Green-winged Teal

 Female Green-winged Teal (Anas carolinensis)

Green-winged teals are small ducks that like shallow ponds and marshes. A few breed in a marsh near where I live. They are among the last ducks to migrate south in the fall and the first to return in the spring. Some may still be here in December.


They are the smallest North American dabbling ducks. This time of year they feast on the seeds of grasses and sedges.

Female and male

I am connecting to Stewart M's Wild Bird Wednesday HERE

50 comments:

Andy said...

I have never seen one before. Once you see that green spot there's no mistaken them.

The Cranky said...

What brilliant colour! First time I've seen one. =)

eileeninmd said...

Pretty shots of the GW Teal.. The green really pops.. Have a great day!

Revrunner said...

Gives quite a different meaning to "the wearing of the green". :-)

Kate said...

That is really, really green! They must be hearty little birds. Probably Irish as Revrunner has pointed out.

Mersad said...

Amazing colors and reflections.

Mersad
Mersad Donko Photography

MadSnapper said...

that greeen marking is truly beautiful. i like the last one of the loving couple because it shows wing and head colors.. so beautiful

Darla said...

What a beautiful green, makes them stand out.

Darla

William Kendall said...

I can't recall seeing them here. They're beauties.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

I've seen the green wing feathers many times EG but this is a first time I've seen the green head feathers, lovely shots.

TexWisGirl said...

great shots! mine are always so far away.

Judy said...

They are pretty little things!! I love that iridescent green on the wing!!! I wonder if there are some here - small ducks that fly off before I can tell what they are...

Sharon Wagner said...

Boy, that spot of green is so bright.

Lowell said...

What fine photos! If these guys migrate south I don't think they make it to Florida. I'm sure I would have noticed that bright splash of green!

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

We have our own Teal over here which is a very similar bird. Neat little birds. The collective name for a number of teal is "a spring of teal" by the way, as a matter of fact, in case anyone's interested.

Linda W. said...

Nice shots! Such a pretty duck.

Phil Slade said...

Great shots and very instructive since they can turn up in the UK where they mix in with Common Teal.

Sylvia K said...

Such terrific, beautiful captures, EG, as always! I've never seen one of these and I love that little splash of color!! Hope your week is off to a great start! Enjoy!

Adam Jones said...

Super close ups and so colourful.

A Colorful World said...

That's a beautiful bright green! Both are just beautiful!

Ginny Hartzler said...

They are SO pretty! And small and cute! The green is beautiful. They remind me of mallards, except they are green instead of blue.

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

A lovely duck to see.Great that you were able to shot of the speculum colour.

RedPat said...

A handsome couple and great pics, EG!

Jo said...

Beautiful beyond words. You managed to photograph that diagnostic green speculum so well. Have a great day. Jo

Maude Lynn said...

Pretty little ducks!

Unknown said...

Beautiful ducks. What a bright green colour.

Paula said...

Beautiful ducks!

Halcyon said...

From fake ducks yesterday to real ones today. Love all the detail in these shots. You should be published in a nature or birding magazine (if you aren't already).

Crafty Green Poet said...

I love these teals, the way their green wing patches glow in the sun, just beautiful

Craver Vii said...

It sounds like they are just ducky about cold weather. I like the variety of seasons... including extreme cold.

cieldequimper said...

The green is amazing!

sunshine said...

Beautiful shots and colors.

21 Wits said...

So beautiful, I especially like the dab of green color on the side.

NatureFootstep said...

seems like they are moulting. :) A lovely little duck.

Stephanie said...

I have never seen one with the green. Beautiful birds and lovely reflections.

Lois said...

This is the first time I have even heard of this type of duck. Very pretty!

Lisa Gordon said...

What a beauty he is!
I just love that little "pop" of green.

Jack said...

They are new to me. And, "dabbling" ducks? There really is such a category?

Randy said...

That's one bright spot of green.

Laura said...

absolutely beautiful!!

Karen said...

Absolutely fabulous!

Cloudia said...

Like the green flash of tropic sunset!
Loving your photos.




ALOHA from Honolulu
ComfortSpiral
=^..^= . <3

rainfield61 said...

The green colour is so outstanding.

Lynn said...

what an amazing spot of green, lovely ducks both of them, and great shots.

Jenn Jilks said...

I love them! I see how they get their name. We have had a few ducks, but not many this month.

Mary Howell Cromer said...

Beautiful beautiful ;) !!!

Anonymous said...

Lovely birds!

Grandma C said...

I love ducks and those are beautiful! The green really shows up in the right sunlight. Beautiful shots!

Ruth Hiebert said...

That green almost glows.Very pretty.

jp@A Green Ridge said...

Of course, I have never seen one but it is just so brilliant!...:)JP

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East Gwillimbury is a rural town less than an hour north of Toronto, Canada's largest city. My family calls me CameraGirl because I take my camera with me wherever I go.