Male (front) and female long-tailed duck (Clangula hyemelis)
It was finger-numbing cold, overcast and very windy the day I took these photos, but this is the time of year when I see flocks of long-tailed ducks swimming in the icy waters of Lake Ontario.
Sitting up tall in water
Early in winter, these diving ducks can be quite shy of humans, just having arrived here from the Arctic. Later in the season they sometimes move a little closer to humans carrying cameras. (I sure hope so!)
Female long-tailed duck
I love the odd sounds they make when they talk to each other, but these ducks were silent. However, one male was wagging his tail feathers and the whole flock moved further out into the bay. I suspect the tail wagging was a warning signal.
Taking off
I am linking with Saturday Critters HERE.
and
I am linking to I'd Rather B Birdin' HERE.
Note City Daily Photo bloggers: The CDP theme for January is “Photo of the Year.”
40 comments:
It is so neat when I see a duck taking off...it is always an unexpected scene. The one with the long curved tail feathers in the first shot is something else. Absolutely beautiful.
Amazing....magical...stupendous. Seriously. I've read on the Texas Bird Sighting site that I frequent that these ducks have been spotted near here...but I've never been so lucky. Or should I say fortunate. These images rock.
Happy Christmas to you too!!
Anni @ I'd Rather B Birdin'
and
Hootin' Anni
Absolutely brilliant of the Long-tailed Duck, superb.
Oh I love them they are very unusual I have never seen these before.. Merry Christmas Camera girl. Hug B
These are beautiful ducks! Awesome photos! I hope to see them this winter. Thanks for linking up to Saturday's Critters. Enjoy your weekend.
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Wow... great photos!
Another breed that's new to me. I guess I am going to pay more attention when I'm near a body of water. PS: I hope your hubby did not slip and fall on the ice this morning.
Birdman like this a lot.
The male is quite stunning. I have never seen one of these even though a few years ago there was a report of one being quite close to where I live.Went looking for it but never saw it.:(
WOW!!! they are amazing looking! thanks for braving the cold to share these!
this is the first time i ever would like to pet or hug a duck. they are adorable. i love the one sitting up high and i would be to if my tush was in that icy cold water. i can tell the water is rough from the wind. excellent photos of these beauties.
Wow! What a dramatic looking duck.
I love the shot of the long tailed male - so bright and at this time of year too!
I think the tail wagging could be a message to the females. Even thought it's very cold most men just have one thing on their mind.
Amazing pictures. I've never seen one; have to start watching.
You are brave to go out into the cold but I'm glad you did. I have never seen this duck before.
I don't think I have ever seen a picture of that species of duck before. Thanks.
Lovely, fresh images. I want to jump
and join the bird.
Merry Christmas!
Jette Majken
Great captures. This is a new "sighting" for me.
The males are really fancy! Love these!!
that tail is too great!! ( :
Gorgeous ducks! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Thank you for sharing your stunning closeup of the pair of long-tailed ducks. The water shots were so textured. Visual treats.
Joy
You are becoming quite the nature photographer. Love these.
Cute ducks
That is quite a tail!
wow, best shots I have seen of this duck. :) Thanks for sharing.
I really like the ducks in the first picture. I have never seen such ducks before. The male is so elegant – as usual in birds, the male is the prettier of the two. Nice shots!
I've never seen a duck with a long, curled tail like that!
=)
I didn't know there was such a thing as a long-tailed duck. The first image is really something!
Wonderful shot. And a great one of the long-tail!
I took about 45 pictures the other day, but none were very good as the ducks were too far away.
I was feeling pretty good about the duck post I have for tomorrow, till I came here and saw this professional presentation! Ducky!
ALOHA to YOU
from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
=^..^= <3
Beautiful are the ducks!
We wish you a Merry Christmas,
RW & SK
They are beautiful ducks indeed. I love that last pic.
I like the duck with the fancy tail.
Splendid pictures of a great bird - used to see them in the winter off the east coast of the UK.
I'll always take too cold over too hot - which is a bit of a problem given where I live!
Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
PS: hope you have a good Christmas.
Beautiful images!
I've never figured out how these guys survive in the cold weather. Cute, they are, though.
A first for me to see these long tailed ducks. Beautiful shots!
Such beautiful images of the Long-tails!
That is some impressive tail!
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