Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Common Goldeneye

 Male Common  Goldeneye swimming amongst ice floes in Whitby Harbour

Although swimming in icy water looks frigid to us humans, common goldeneyes often stay as far north in winter as they possibly can.

Swimming to and fro, occasionally diving

It all depends on whether they can find open water as they dive for their food: aquatic invertebrates, vegetation and small fish.

Ice floes

Some spend the winter in marine waters, but quite a few visit the Great Lakes until the ice melts further north..
I am connecting to Stewart M's Wild Bird Wednesday HERE

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65 comments:

  1. RevrunnerMarch 4, 2014 at 5:57 AM

    Maybe this is the origin of the phrase "cold duck"? :-)

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  2. Carole M.March 4, 2014 at 6:11 AM

    ...it's really handsome and that's quite some pond to live in ...brrrr

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  3. The CrankyMarch 4, 2014 at 6:33 AM

    Is it any wonder, given his habitat, that although he's really quite handsome he also looks slightly mad?

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  4. orchid0324March 4, 2014 at 7:34 AM

    OMG, looks SO cold! Really handsome Goldeneye♡♡♡

    Thank you SO much for stopping by to my blog.

    Sending you Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*

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  5. Lisa @ Two Bears FarmMarch 4, 2014 at 7:40 AM

    They must have some really good insulation going on.

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  6. Lisa @ Two Bears FarmMarch 4, 2014 at 7:40 AM

    They must have some really good insulation going on.

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  7. Minoru SaitoMarch 4, 2014 at 7:51 AM

    Hi! Nice captures. The bird photos are very beautiful.This bird looks like a tufted duck.
    A few years ago, I stayed at Markham about a week. There was a small swan lake. I went to the Great Lakes from Toronto by grey hound bus. It was a nice memory for me.

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  8. William KendallMarch 4, 2014 at 7:56 AM

    Terrific captures and a handsome looking fellow. He doesn't seem to mind the cold.

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  9. JudyMarch 4, 2014 at 8:01 AM

    That first image is my favourite!!!

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  10. Alexa TMarch 4, 2014 at 8:23 AM

    Lovely to discover your pics about nature from East Gwillimbury, Toronto just with a click!! I'll be so glad to read more. Thanks for sharing!

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  11. DarlaMarch 4, 2014 at 8:39 AM

    Good grief that looks cold!

    Darla

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  12. NancyMarch 4, 2014 at 8:47 AM

    Striking! Glad he was able to spend some time with you. xo

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  13. The Furry GnomeMarch 4, 2014 at 8:51 AM

    Great pictures! Actually I like the one of the ice floes.

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  14. CarverMarch 4, 2014 at 9:05 AM

    He's a beauty but is sure looks cold for him in the ice.

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  15. MichelleMarch 4, 2014 at 9:31 AM

    A beautiful bird. His eye is so striking.

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  16. StuartMarch 4, 2014 at 9:34 AM

    In spite of his name, there's nothing common with this beautiful bird. Great shots !

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  17. Hootin AnniMarch 4, 2014 at 10:08 AM

    Amazing images...such a cold looking surrounding, but it doesn't seem to mind a bit.

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  18. GeorgeMarch 4, 2014 at 10:09 AM

    I get chills just looking at the duck among all that ice, but your photos are marvelous.

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  19. Small City ScenesMarch 4, 2014 at 10:18 AM

    Beautiful Duck. They do say feathers are good insulators. Nice shots. MB

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  20. Linda W.March 4, 2014 at 10:27 AM

    I've never seen a duck with such a bright yellow eye! Nice shot of the icy floes.

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  21. TexWisGirlMarch 4, 2014 at 10:29 AM

    how pretty! have only seen them in blogland, never in person.

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  22. AnonymousMarch 4, 2014 at 10:50 AM

    What a striking looking bird, fantastic!

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  23. John @ Beans and I on the LooseMarch 4, 2014 at 10:59 AM

    He looks so brilliant now. Even the ice crystals too. I wonder why?

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  24. MadSnapperMarch 4, 2014 at 11:02 AM

    i like that pop of gold in his beautiful black and white feathers...

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  25. KarenMarch 4, 2014 at 11:17 AM

    Oh what great shots of this handsome duck. Love that first one, with his foot so visible underwater!

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  26. GigaMarch 4, 2014 at 11:30 AM

    Cieszę się, że te śliczne ptaki są długo z Wami. Pozdrawiam.
    I am glad that these beautiful birds are long with you. Yours.

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  27. KathyMarch 4, 2014 at 12:16 PM

    Those ice floes are amazing.

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  28. BirgittaMarch 4, 2014 at 12:33 PM

    So great photos! Terrific captures!

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  29. Buttons ThoughtsMarch 4, 2014 at 12:39 PM

    Oh they are so handsome. Hug B

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  30. Maude LynnMarch 4, 2014 at 12:40 PM

    Outstanding shots!

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  31. UnknownMarch 4, 2014 at 12:56 PM

    Cool pictures! Pun unintended.=)
    //Scaniatjejen
    http://www.scaniatjejen.se

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  32. RedPatMarch 4, 2014 at 1:52 PM

    This is a new one for me, EG!

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  33. ElaMarch 4, 2014 at 1:54 PM

    What a beautiful duck. His eyes are wonderful !
    Greetings <(')

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  34. Ruth HiebertMarch 4, 2014 at 1:57 PM

    It makes me cold,just looking at these pictures. You have lovely shots of this duck.

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  35. Findlay WildeMarch 4, 2014 at 2:01 PM

    A very handsome bird swimming round all that ice. From Findlay

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  36. HalcyonMarch 4, 2014 at 2:18 PM

    I know it's cold, but those scenes are so pretty! I love the ice floes especially. :)

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  37. UnknownMarch 4, 2014 at 2:58 PM

    He's very handsome!

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  38. cieldequimperMarch 4, 2014 at 3:04 PM

    Pretty fella and that's definitely a golden eye!

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  39. Phil SladeMarch 4, 2014 at 3:04 PM

    Hey! I thought I had some pretty good pictures of the wary Goldeneye but now you go and beat me hands down. Well done.

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  40. Suburban GirlMarch 4, 2014 at 3:07 PM

    Wow, that is a golden eye! Very nice looking bird.

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  41. AnonymousMarch 4, 2014 at 3:07 PM

    He is beautiful! I love how their eyes stand out so much.

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  42. Gail DixonMarch 4, 2014 at 3:46 PM

    Oh, wow. I had seen reports that we had one in the area, but the weather's been too nasty to check him out. I should've braved the elements. He is beautiful!

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  43. RohrerbotMarch 4, 2014 at 4:58 PM

    Oh my gosh!!!! That water looks SOOOOO COLD! I'm always amazing how these birds can survive those brutal temps. Really really nice close up shot on the first pic! One of my favorite birds with awesome markings. It'll warm up.

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  44. BarbMarch 4, 2014 at 4:58 PM

    what a great (chilly) shot of those floes! Looks like you still have plenty of snow/ice!

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  45. eileeninmdMarch 4, 2014 at 5:16 PM

    I love the beautiful eye on this duck! Great shots.

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  46. NatureFootstepMarch 4, 2014 at 5:21 PM

    how wonderful to have him so close! Only two have arrived to my area as I have seen. And, of course in the middle of the lake. :)

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  47. GordonMarch 4, 2014 at 5:29 PM

    These are really stunning shots, of a very beautiful bird.
    All the best Gordon.

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  48. KLMarch 4, 2014 at 6:03 PM

    Shoooo adorably cute :-)....As usual great shots. What do they do if the water completely freezes over?

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  49. AnonymousMarch 4, 2014 at 6:15 PM

    That eye is amazing! I love how clear the water is. I can see his foot.

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  50. LindaMarch 4, 2014 at 6:19 PM

    Lovely ducks! Thanks for sharing.

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  51. StephanieMarch 4, 2014 at 6:25 PM

    Awesome shot of the ice floe. and great shots of the birds too!

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  52. RoanMarch 4, 2014 at 6:51 PM

    That water looks really cold! Brr, but Mr. Goldeneye doesn't seem to mind.

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  53. DebbieMarch 4, 2014 at 7:32 PM

    i will never understand why they add the word "common" to these names. nothing common about this beauty!!

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  54. JackMarch 4, 2014 at 7:58 PM

    You got me thinking about how it is that ducks can live (and thrive!) in such nasty cold weather . . .

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  55. AlMarch 4, 2014 at 8:42 PM

    What a pretty bird - the eyes are striking.

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  56. RoseMarch 4, 2014 at 8:56 PM

    Great capture...you really manage to get some fabulous captures of ducks/waterfowl. And that ice looks soooo cold.

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  57. cedarmerefarmMarch 4, 2014 at 9:36 PM

    Wow, that looks very very cold! But the Goldeneye looks very happy. Great photos, CameraGirl!

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  58. RandyMarch 4, 2014 at 10:36 PM

    The ice looks gold. That is one yellow eye.

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  59. CarlettaMarch 5, 2014 at 1:45 AM

    That first shot makes me shiver but it's a lovely one!

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  60. MalyssMarch 5, 2014 at 2:22 AM

    No wonder they're called Goldeneye! :o)
    Impressed to see them in such cold, and happy !

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  61. AnonymousMarch 5, 2014 at 3:33 AM

    It won't be chill for the bird. I feel chill while seeing the bird swimming in middle of ice.

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  62. Margaret Birding For PleasureMarch 5, 2014 at 3:49 AM

    Hi You are right, it does look cold but that beautiful Goldeneye seems to love it. Great shots

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  63. GrampyMarch 5, 2014 at 6:05 AM

    Fine captures. Capturing the iridescence of the head feathering wonderful.

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  64. Mary Howell CromerMarch 5, 2014 at 7:35 AM

    Stunning, Brilliant, Superb!

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  65. NeilMarch 5, 2014 at 5:15 PM

    I was going to complain about cold showers but that water is a lot colder. Beautiful Duck.

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