F/6.3, 1/1000, ISO 640.
Northern Shoveler
Day 82 /365
His shoveling skills, would come in very handy during all these snow storms we had.
Interesting Fact: They are often referred to as the “Spoonbill” or “Spoony” because of their unique spatulate shaped bill, which has about 110 fine projections (called lamellae) along the edges, for straining food from water. ( http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/97/overview/Northern_Shoveler.aspx )
F/6.3, 1/500, ISO 360.
Ring-necked Duck
Day 81 / 365
Why did the duck tell you a joke?
Because he wanted to QUACK you up!
Interesting Fact: Because it never gathers in large flocks it has not been hunted extensively like some of its relatives. A fast flier, it undertakes longer migrations than most other diving ducks. ( http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/95/overview/Ring-necked_Duck.aspx )
F/6.3, 1/1000, ISO 560.
Common Merganser
Day 73 / 365
She suspects him of cheating, so she decided to follow him today. She is literally on his tail. 🙂
Interesting Fact: Common Mergansers usually nest in natural tree cavities or holes carved out by large woodpeckers. Sometimes mergansers take up residence in next boxes, provided the entrance hole is large enough. On occasion they use rock crevices, holes in the ground, hollow logs, old buildings, and chimneys. ( http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Merganser/lifehistory )
F/6.3, 1/800, ISO 800.
Common Merganser
Day 60 / 365
You quack me up!
Interesting Fact: These large fish-eaters have serrated edges to their bills to help them grip their prey. Along with the Smew and the other Mergansers, they are often known as “sawbills.” ( http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/416/_/Common_Merganser.aspx )
F/6.3, 1/500, ISO 320.
Day 53 / 365
“Did you hear something”? “I say lets bail out of here”!!!
Interesting Fact: Hooded Mergansers are extremely agile swimmers and divers but clumsy when moving on land because their legs are set far back on the body. ( http://www.withmephotographyblog.com/10-interesting-facts-about-the-hooded-merganser )
F/6.3, 1/320, ISO 1600.
Gadwall Duck
Day 45 / 365
Even on a frozen ocean you can find love today.
Interesting Fact: Gadwall sometimes steal food from American Coots and from other ducks.
( http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/gadwall/lifehistory )
Bonus Valentine Facts: 2. Valentine’s Day may have a rather gory history. As one variation of a popular myth goes, Claudius II, the Emperor of Rome, forbade young men from marrying because he wanted them as soldiers in his army instead. St. Valentine defied him and married people in secret, so he was executed on Feb. 14 in the year AD 269 – or so the story goes. ( http://m.ibtimes.com/valentines-day-facts-history-fun-ideas-free-burritos-singles-awareness-other-things-1813226 )
F/6.3, 1/1000, ISO 400.
Bufflehead Duck
Day 25 / 365
Freezing my bum off for an hour in one spot today paid off. 🙂
Interesting Fact: Buffleheads are highly active and will undertake dives almost continuously. One duck will serve as a sentry, watching for predators as the others in the group dive in search of food. ( http://www.withmephotographyblog.com/10-interesting-facts-about-the-bufflehead )
F/6.3, 1/500, ISO 250.
Northern Pintail Duck
Day 11 / 365
Sometimes I just want to fly away, but it is not that easy and the airports are too crowded. 🙂
Interesting Fact: The male Pintail ‘s call is a soft proop-proop whistle, similar to that of the Common Teal, whereas the female has a Mallard-like descending quack, and a low croak when flushed. ( http://www.withmephotographyblog.com/11-interesting-facts-about-the-northern-pintail )
Through Open Lens 