Tuesday, September 25, 2012

American Wigeon/Wild Bird

 American wigeon, Lake Scugog

Although it's said that American wigeons spend much of their time on land, so far I have only seen them in water - in shallow ponds and lakes. In spring, the male has a green swipe that runs from its neck to it's eye but, unfortunately, the only photo I have is fuzzy and was taken from too far away.

 Following the leader?

Last Sunday, a small flock moved fairly close into shore so I was able to take some better photos.  A few American wigeons remain in Ontario year-round, hugging the shores of Lakes Ontario and Erie. But most will travel southeasterly to the states along the Eastern Seaboard of the U.S..

Stopping for a photo op?

I am joining Stewart M's Wild Bird Wednesday HERE

45 comments:

Suburban Girl said...

A beautiful bird. I have not knowingly ever seen one.

Jill said...

What a sweet little face!

Elizabeth Edwards said...

wow, what an interesting colored bird. too great!! (:

MadSnapper said...

I KNEW he must be American, since he is beautiful... ha ha JUST KIDDING.. it is a beautiful photo the first one.

Kate said...

Yup! That top photo is of a beautiful Amrican bird;
Sandra and I are on the same page!!

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

I love that first shot - it's so beautiful!

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh I like these shots. It is very sad we are being pushed so far from the waterfronts because of development your comment on my blog is absolutely true. B

Nature in the Burbs said...

They are cute. Great shots.

Lois Evensen said...

Very pretty. Nice catch.

Scrappy Grams said...

what a variety of color and texture the wigeon has! and a unique name! I have never seen one.

TexWisGirl said...

i hope we get some stopping in on their migration this winter. :)

Judy said...

Very pretty bird!! I have not seen them before.

Cezar and Léia said...

The first picture is so adorable!
Léia :)

i stora drag said...

I had to translate the name into swedish to understand what duck it was! And I found out that it doesn't live here, maybe some relatives to it.
Nice pictures anyway! :)
Greetings Pia

Nette Cecilia said...

Lovley photos of the duck ,nette

Carletta said...

The first shot is my favorite. Looks like it's posing especially for you. The different colors and patterns of the feathers is quite pretty!

RedPat said...

I've never seen these before!

Giga said...

Są śliczne i pięknie wyglądają pływając po wodzie wśród roślin. Pozdrawiam.
They are beautiful and look beautiful floating on the water among the plants. Yours.

Cheryl @ TFD said...

So pretty! Love that first photo!

Pat Tillett said...

Very nice! We don't get them out here on the west coast (that I know of anyway).

mick said...

Great photos of interesting birds.

theconstantwalker said...

Lovely images... beautiful birds to see.

Crafty Green Poet said...

such pretty ducks...

Adam Jones said...

Super little ducks.

HansHB said...

Great photos. This is a new duck for me. Never seen any before!

eileeninmd said...

The Wigeon are beautiful ducks. Wonderful photos.

Ellie said...

Wonderful shots of a lovely bird. I've not heard of a widgeon before.

Dianne said...

Beautifully captured ... I love your top pic.

Paul in Powell River said...

We have a good number arrive in the fall and over-winter in our milder temps. Always nice to see.

Gill - That British Woman said...

I have never heard of them before either.

Gill

Randy said...

Nice markings. I really like the close up.

NatureFootstep said...

it´s a lovely bird. We have similar ones here and I love them, so sweet.

Unknown said...

Great shots!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Viola said...

On your last photo I can see the green swipe, if the male is to the right with the white head?
They are indeed beautiful birds!
and so lovely to see the leaves in the water and the reflections of the birds also :)

Rohrerbot said...

Exciting finds:) I'm hoping I get to see them here during our winter months. Beautiful birds. Your area looks wonderful for walks right now.

Gillian Olson said...

They are beautiful birds.

Carole M. said...

it's a quaint duck breed

Neil said...

Beautiful birds

Stewart M said...

Splendid looking ducks -I think that steep forehead is a good field mark of wigeon.


Cheers - Stewart M - Australia

Anonymous said...

I have such a hard time photographing ducks but you did a great job here! Love the contrasting colors in the pond.

Darla said...

Another bird to add to my list, I learn so much about birds from your posts.

Darla

Debbie said...

a beautiful duck and such a sweet face!!

Lowell said...

I've heard of pigeons but not wigeons...they must not get all the way down to Florida. Very pretty birds.

Snowcatcher said...

The reflection in that first shot is just incredible!

Rose said...

Isn't it sort of strange just how beautiful brown can be on birds!

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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.