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:

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

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

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

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

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

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  6. 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

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

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

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

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  10. The first picture is so adorable!
    Léia :)

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  11. 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

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  12. 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!

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  13. 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.

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

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  15. Great photos of interesting birds.

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  16. Lovely images... beautiful birds to see.

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

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  18. The Wigeon are beautiful ducks. Wonderful photos.

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

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  20. Beautifully captured ... I love your top pic.

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

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  22. I have never heard of them before either.

    Gill

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  23. Nice markings. I really like the close up.

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

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

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  26. 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 :)

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  27. 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.

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


    Cheers - Stewart M - Australia

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

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

    Darla

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  31. a beautiful duck and such a sweet face!!

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

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  33. The reflection in that first shot is just incredible!

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

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