Have you ever seen a Bufflehead? I’ve only seen them a couple of times and once was many years ago in Colorado. I think they are beautiful ducks and I was excited to see them on my freezing cold walk in Long Pond Ironworks the other day.
They were on the other side of the lake from me and very uncooperative in letting me photograph them, so most of these photos are cropped and zoomed.
At first when I saw the smaller brownish duck I assumed it was a juvenile. Not so! According to my bird book this is the female, which I have never seen. It looks like there are two females in the top photo. Here is a cropped look at a pair that ventured a little closer to me.
And up a little closer for detail.
A good look at the markings on the back of the male as the female spooks.
Ducks away!
(photos: A Bevy of Buffleheads on Monksville Reservoir)
Posted by Lynne on 01/20/2013 at 05:44 AM
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Have never seen (or heard of) a Bufflehead. Had to look it up in my bird book. It sort of looks like a mallard that’s been dipped in frosting. It’s also known as the Butterball! I guess they are seen along the coast this time of year. Very cool!
Posted by
Carolyn Clarke on January 20 2013 at 08:33 AM
C, yes I think they are very cool birds! It’s funny to watch them dive because they seem to bob right back up again to the surface. Maybe that’s where the “butterball” comes from.?
Posted by
Lynne on January 20 2013 at 08:39 AM
Not only have I never knowingly seen a bufflehead, I’ve never heard of them! Cool!
Posted by
Steve on January 21 2013 at 02:22 AM
Steve, always glad to share new birds!
Posted by
Lynne on January 21 2013 at 02:04 PM
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