Quack! (male long-tailed duck...coming)
Returning from a few days in Upstate New York last Sunday, my husband and I decided to check out the canal between Lake Ontario and Hamilton Harbour (Hamilton, Ontario) to see any ducks that might be wintering there. And there were
I'm a novice birder and this was the first time I've ever seen them so I was
Hamilton, Ontario
Quack! (male long-tailed duck...going)
Long-tailed ducks nest in the tundra of the far north but winter in southern climes such as any ice-free waters in and around the Great Lakes. Here they are sporting their winter plumage.
Quack, quack! (male long-tailed duck...coming and going)
Long-tailed ducks are fun to watch as they jump, then dive for snails, crustaceans and mussels. They can stay under water for nearly a minute and dive as deep as 50 metres!
I am linking to Jenny Matlock at Alphabe-Thursday HERE
This is a new species for me -- it's a very unique-looking duck. Thanks for the great pictures.
ReplyDeleteYes, this is a new species for me as well and what a beauty he/she is! Terrific captures as always! Hope your week is going well! Enjoy! Stay warm!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
I love these little ducks! Never seen such before! We have mucky ducks in south Florida and they are really ugly. Here we have Mallards and various other types, but not these long-tailed pretty things.
ReplyDeleteI can imagine you were calm, cool, and collected! Hah. But you did a great job for being excited!
Re pajamas on a horse. You're silly. We don't put pj's on a horse; just a blanket!
Wonderful photos. These ducks are "new" to me.
ReplyDeleteThese are fabulous shots! And a new duck to me too. Hope you are inside and warm.
ReplyDeleteThats serious diving, not that I have any idea how deep the average type of duck dives. Must say, funny looking duck and a new one on me.
ReplyDeleteSo exciting you and your husband have discovered those beautiful birds, I like them a lot! And your photos! :) I'm sure you couldn't stand out beeing quiet and calm, haha.. seeing so many birds in one time!! =)
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen such ducks before. They look lovely. Great captures too!
ReplyDeleteI've never seen this type of duck before. You got some beautiful shots!
ReplyDeleteNew species for me too - so handsome!
ReplyDeleteGreat 'Q' post too!
XOXO Lola:)
Quack quack indeed! Such beauty!
ReplyDeleteThis is my first time seeing long-tailed ducks also. And, I must say they are handsome!
ReplyDeletequack quack, this is one duck I have not seen in Borneo and in New Zealand.
ReplyDeleteHi EG - Re your question on Stone Creek: Yes, those are "tufts" of grass...they are planted all over the course and I like them. Unless I hit a ball into them. They eat balls!
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures. They are really beautiful birds. Thanks for the interesting post.
ReplyDeleteThey are lovely, but the only thing I can think about is how cold it must be.
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely shots!
ReplyDeleteThey look so peaceful and collected...unlike the photographer!
lol
I've never seen this variety before~ love their feathers!
ReplyDeleteI'm in the majority today. I have never seen these ducks before, even in photos. I learn something every day. Who said that you can't teach old dogs new tricks?
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pics, I haven't seen that particular duck before:@)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful creature. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteLove the pictures of thes little quackers. Easy to see why you were so excited.
ReplyDeleteI love the markings on this duck. They are like designer ducks.
ReplyDeleteI'm not much of a birder but...I love ducks. I have never seen them before either. Great ducks and really excellent photos.
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful bird and you captured it so beautifully!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun looking ducks! I have never heard of this type of duck before. They must love cold weather to hang out in New York this time of year.
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty little duck - such soft colors. They don't get down this far into Wisconsin, at least I have not seen them before. We have a pond by the house and get a wonderful variety - these little fellows would be welcomed anytime.
ReplyDeleteWonderful images!
I haven't seen these before. They are so pretty!
ReplyDeleteI've never seen birds like those before your posting!
ReplyDeleteThese are kind of quacky ~ excuse me, whacky ~ looking ducks, although I must admit they're sorta cute! I must also say that of late your poultry pics are unsurpassed!
ReplyDeleteWow they almost looks fake, they're so "perfect"!
ReplyDeleteI have not seen these kinds of duck before. Thanks for sharing and I'm happy you found them!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun to see these fun feathered ducks. Here they are called Oldsquaw same species (Clangula hyemalis). Odd guys huh. I'd be excited too to see them. MB
ReplyDeleteThey sure seem to enjoy the lake, very epitome of contentment on their faces;-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful photos and duck. He looks so happy. Charmaine
ReplyDeleteThis little critter is beautiful and very different.I'm impressed by so lovely colours and the white head is cute!
ReplyDeleteLéia
Cute coming. Cute going. Double cute coming and going! And if your needlework is anywhere near as skillful and creative as your photography, EG, you're amazing!
ReplyDeleteThe ducks look healthy and happy. They have very pretty markings.
ReplyDeleteDarla
What an interesting looking duck! Wow, I have never seen this type of duck before. Definitely a unique looking duck!
ReplyDeleteI've never seen such a duck!
ReplyDeleteIt's cool-looking.
=)
These are new birds to me...I am always amazed at the new things I see in blogging. Very seldom a day that I don't see something new...I just wish I could remember it all.
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful birds, and you got some great photos of them, too.
ReplyDeletethese are such pretty ducks, glad they let you get some photos of 'em!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful and majestic picture.
ReplyDeleteI've not seen this variety of duck anymore but I think they are really beautiful.
Thank you for linking.
A+
Wow!!! Me too! I've never seen such a Quacker like this before! I love their markings. And haha! Love that you were "quiet, qcalm, qcool, and qcollected" excited!
ReplyDeleteBlessings & Aloha!
Those ducks are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWe get the odd black and white duck here, but they are unusual.
Great pictures of the ever-lovely long-tailed duck. There are still a zillion (er, I mean a lot) in Port Credit right through to Etobicoke (April 30, 2011). Welcome to Birding!
ReplyDelete