Posts Tagged ‘Long-tailed Ducks’

A flock of Long-tailed ducks have clearly started to over-winter down at Woodbine Beach. I always find the males comical, like Harlequin Ducks done in monochrome, and then there’s the ridiculously long double-tail.

Their call is not the usual throaty “quack” you would get from a Mallard, but the sound you might get out of a chicken if it was laughing (and maybe somewhat annoyed too). (A good example of what they sound like can be found here).

Here are a series of photos I managed to snag of the flock this morning down by Woodbine Beach:

I like this one because it shows the slight variations in plumage and even head-shape that exists in these ducks:

Trio of Male Long-tailed Ducks

Then there was this fellow, who unlike the rest of his shy brothers, ventured closer to me rather than keeping his distance, allowing me to take a couple of nice shots of him and his reflection in the still waters.

Male Long-tailed Duck and His Reflection in the Water 1

Male Long-tailed Duck and His Reflection in the Water 2

Then there’s this one of a male and female pair about to land. I managed to get both of them nice and sharp by moving the camera, but as a result the other ducks they are landing among are blurred. Still, a fun shot.

Pair of Long-tailed Ducks Coming in for a Landing