Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Lesser Scaup

 Female Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis)

Lesser Scaups are medium-sized diving ducks. This one had just come up from a dive in the harbour at Bond Head (Newcastle) where it had been foraging for clams, snails and aquatic seeds and plants.

Stretching and shaking her wings

I am connecting to Stewart M's Wild Bird Wednesday HERE

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43 comments:

  1. AnonymousDecember 16, 2014 at 4:42 AM

    Cool and sweet))

    Greeting.Nice Day.

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  2. RevrunnerDecember 16, 2014 at 5:51 AM

    Nothing lesser about it. :-)

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  3. The CrankyDecember 16, 2014 at 7:02 AM

    For a 'lesser' she's definitely a major beauty! =)

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  4. AnonymousDecember 16, 2014 at 7:04 AM

    Putting on a real performance for the camera there!

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  5. DarlaDecember 16, 2014 at 8:20 AM

    Great shot of those extended wings.

    Darla

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  6. LeoraDecember 16, 2014 at 8:26 AM

    Oh, these are fun! Daughter and I saw some ducks on Sunday. I got one shot of a duck in the river splashing.

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  7. William KendallDecember 16, 2014 at 8:43 AM

    She looks quite distinctive!

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  8. StephanieDecember 16, 2014 at 9:41 AM

    Interesting bird.

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  9. Mary HoneDecember 16, 2014 at 9:48 AM

    I like the second shot when he is all ruffed up.

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  10. BirdmanDecember 16, 2014 at 9:49 AM

    That's a strange looking bird! Never seen one. Looks fat too.

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  11. Linda W.December 16, 2014 at 10:42 AM

    Nice action shots!

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  12. MadSnapperDecember 16, 2014 at 10:43 AM

    the first photo she is clapping her wings at your skill with the camera.. she is a beauty and so are the reflections.

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  13. John @ Beans and I on the LooseDecember 16, 2014 at 11:17 AM

    Neat bird. Now I am wondering how they eat a clam.

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  14. CarlettaDecember 16, 2014 at 11:24 AM

    Cute bird. Love that first shot!

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  15. RohrerbotDecember 16, 2014 at 11:56 AM

    A really nice bird. Every winter I enjoy their visits around our watering holes. Although I have to be careful as they will sometimes blend in with those Ring-necked Ducks. Great photos!

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  16. Ginny HartzlerDecember 16, 2014 at 12:17 PM

    I LOVE the wings!! This is a plump bird.

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  17. DeniseinVADecember 16, 2014 at 12:23 PM

    I haven't seen one of these before. Great shots EG!

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  18. Sylvia KDecember 16, 2014 at 12:24 PM

    Handsome fellow he is indeed!! His "food" diving does seem to have been successful!! Great shots as always!! Hope your week is going well!!

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  19. HilaryDecember 16, 2014 at 12:28 PM

    Great catch.. and fine action shots.

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  20. Margaret Birding For PleasureDecember 16, 2014 at 12:43 PM

    Great shots of this bird that I have never seen.

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  21. CarverDecember 16, 2014 at 12:51 PM

    Great captures. I don't think I've seen this bird either.

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  22. ShammickiteDecember 16, 2014 at 12:56 PM

    She says "Whaddya mean, lesser? I'm GREAT!"

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  23. FABDecember 16, 2014 at 1:14 PM

    Super shots of a species that I don't see very often.

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  24. mickDecember 16, 2014 at 2:45 PM

    Great photos of the Scaup. The first photo almost looks as if the bird is walking on water!

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  25. AnonymousDecember 16, 2014 at 2:45 PM

    Great shots, ducks are so cute.

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  26. KayDecember 16, 2014 at 3:16 PM

    Beautiful shots; even the reflections are pretty.
    I know they've got insulation and are built for the work, but diving for food seems like a hard way to make a living.

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  27. RedPatDecember 16, 2014 at 3:30 PM

    Super shots, EG!

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  28. cieldequimperDecember 16, 2014 at 3:46 PM

    I wonder where these lovely fellows got their name from!

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  29. Adam JonesDecember 16, 2014 at 4:29 PM

    A lovely looking Scaup. I've yet to see one this year.

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  30. eileeninmdDecember 16, 2014 at 5:23 PM

    Awesome shots of the Lesser Scaup! Have a happy week!

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  31. DebbieDecember 16, 2014 at 6:44 PM

    all fluffed up, nothing lesser about that!!!!

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  32. Beyond the Dog DishDecember 16, 2014 at 6:57 PM

    Sort of happy I don't have to dive for dinner in this weather!

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  33. RandyDecember 16, 2014 at 8:40 PM

    I like that first shot.

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  34. GreenComotionDecember 16, 2014 at 8:41 PM

    Hi Tina,
    Beautiful bird and lovely capture!

    Have a Beautiful Day!

    Peace :)

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  35. CloudiaDecember 16, 2014 at 9:21 PM

    Such a triumphal posture!




    ALOHA from Honolulu
    ComfortSpiral
    <3

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  36. JeevanDecember 17, 2014 at 2:40 AM

    Wonder how they balance to stood in water! Excellent captures

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  37. IndraniDecember 17, 2014 at 6:14 AM

    Great action shots!

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  38. HalcyonDecember 17, 2014 at 6:17 AM

    It's pretty amazing how they do that!

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  39. A Colorful WorldDecember 17, 2014 at 11:20 AM

    Great shots!

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  40. orchid0324December 17, 2014 at 4:50 PM

    Dearest EG; 　Pretty shots of Lesser Scaups stretching wings and I　LOVE　the reflections, too♡♡♡

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

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  41. AnonymousDecember 17, 2014 at 7:30 PM

    Beautiful captures.

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  42. SusanDecember 17, 2014 at 10:31 PM

    Lovely shots, what beauties!

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  43. NatureFootstepDecember 20, 2014 at 3:54 PM

    joyful to watch :)

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