F/7.1, 1/200, ISO 400.
Common Loon ( Nonbreeding adult )
What did the chicken say when it got to the library?
“Book book book book book book book…”
Interesting Fact: Migrating Common Loons occasionally land on wet highways or parking lots, mistaking them for rivers and lakes. They become stranded without a considerable amount of open water for a long takeoff. A loon may also get stranded on a pond that is too small. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Loon/ )
F/8.0, 1/250, ISO 160.
Common Goldeneye
What did the salad say when the cabbage interrupted their meal?
Lettuce alone!
Interesting Fact: The eyes of a Common Goldeneye are gray-brown at hatching. They turn purple-blue, then blue, then green-blue as they age. By five months of age they have become clear pale green-yellow. The eyes will be bright yellow in adult males and pale yellow to white in females. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Goldeneye )
F/9.0, 1/320, ISO 640.
Ruddy Duck
Can your mother predict the future with cards?
Yes! She takes one look at my report card and tells me what will happen when my father gets home.
Interesting Fact: The nest is usually made of dead, dry plant materials, though some are built entirely with green vegetation. It starts as a platform and becomes more bowl-like throughout the construction process, with an inner cup measuring 4–12 inches across and 0.5–5 inches deep. Ruddy Ducks usually weave a canopy of vegetation over their nests. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Ruddy_Duck/lifehistory )
F/6.3, 1/1000, ISO 400.
Bufflehead
Why did the scientist take out his doorbell?
He wanted to win the no-bell prize.
Interesting Fact: The oldest Bufflehead on record was at least 18 years and 8 months old. It was caught and re-released by a bird bander in New York in 1975. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Bufflehead/lifehistory )
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F/6.3, 1/125, ISO 320.
American Wigeon
A man takes his dog to the vet.
“My dog is cross-eyed, is there anything you can do for him?”
“Well,” said the vet, “let’s have a look at him” So he picks the dog up and examines his eyes, then he checks his teeth.
Finally, he says, “I’m going to have to put him down.”
“What? Because he’s cross-eyed?”
“No, because he’s really heavy”.
Interesting Fact: The American Wigeon is a rare, but regular straggler to Europe where it turns up in flocks of Eurasian Wigeon. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Wigeon/lifehistory ).
F/9.0, 1/320, ISO 100.
Mute Swan
What did one potato chip say to the other?
Shall we go for a dip?
Interesting Fact: Short legs placed well back on the body give Mute Swans an awkward walking gait, but the birds can run quickly if pursued and can take off from land and water, flying with head and neck extended. On the water they sometimes hold their wings slightly raised and “sail” with the wind. Mute Swans are predominantly monogamous and form long-lasting breeding pairs. They are extremely aggressive in defending their breeding territory. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Mute_Swan/lifehistory )
F/5.6, 1/500, ISO 200.
Horned Grebe
What do you get when you’re on you hands and knees?
You get very dirty.
Interesting Fact: A sleeping or resting Horned Grebe puts its neck on its back with its head off to one side and facing forward. It keeps one foot tucked up under a wing and uses the other one to maneuver in the water. Having one foot up under a wing makes it float with one “high” side and one “low” side. (
F/10.0, 1/400, ISO 400.
Bufflehead Ducks
What happened when the lion ate the comedian?
He felt funny!
Interesting Fact: When a pair of Buffleheads intrudes into a nearby territory, the male that owns the territory often chases the intruding female and her mate follows them in hot pursuit. Males leave their mates during incubation in order to molt, but return to the same mate multiple years in a row (one of the few duck species in which this is true). ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Bufflehead/lifehistory )
F/11.0, 1/500, ISO 500.
Ruddy Duck
What did the calculator say to the cashier?
You can count on me.
Interesting Fact: Most males pair up with one female each for the duration of the breeding season, but some take multiple mates. Their eggs are proportionally the largest of all waterfowl. The ducklings hatch well-developed and active, receiving minimal care from the mother and none from the father. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Ruddy_Duck/lifehistory )
F/5.6, 1/500, ISO 250.
Horned Grebe
What is a witch’s favorite subject in school?
Spelling.
Interesting Fact: Like most grebes, the small chicks of the Horned Grebe frequently ride on the backs of their swimming parents. The young ride between the wings on the parent’s back, and may even go underwater with them during dives. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Horned_Grebe/lifehistory )
