Fall Ducks

 

Hooded Merganser

 

Buffleheads

We love the fall when the migrating ducks stop by Lake Nelson.

Reflecting on the Bolsa Chica Wetlands in Huntington Beach

Pacific Loon

Western Grebe

Male Bufflehead

Female Bufflehead

 

Widgeons

Lesser Scaup

Ruddy Duck

Buffleheads on Lake Nelson

 

 

 

 

Mike saw two male bufflehead fly in early this morning. We watched them for a while, took some photos, but decided to go to Lenape Park in search of a red headed woodpecker. When we got back home, there were five male and one female bufflehead. We stayed outside watching them for most of the sunny afternoon. They did fly at dusk, but we aren't sure if it was a short flight within the lake or if they were continuing their migration.

(The group photos are better if you enlarge by clicking on them).

Buffleheads

 

 

Female Bufflehead at Bolsa Chica Wetlands

Here is a photo of a female bufflehead. Isn't she a cutie?

Buffleheads at the Meadowlands

 

 

While we have observed an occasional bufflehead on Lake Nelson, we had never seen large groups or females before. They were a real treat at the Meadowlands.

Bufflehead on Lake Nelson

When we got home, we saw two bufflehead on Lake Nelson.

A Bufflehead arrived!!!

Maybe this little bufflehead heard that we were disappointed at not seeing any of his kind at Sandy Hook over the weekend. It sure was nice of him to drop by to cheer us up. Here's what happened this morning. Chris was downstairs and sounded the alarm when she spotted him. Mike rushed down and we both went out on our dock to see him and photograph him. He swam down to the dam, so we decided to take a walk to get closer to him down there. Of course, in the few minutes it took us to get there we lost him. When we came back home, we didn't see him again either, but Chris did see two American Widgeons. Mike was inside and did not see her frantically waving her arms for him to come out with the camera, so we have no pictures of them. Eventually Mike got on his way to work, and Chris had a little more time before she had to leave. The little guy came back and the sun was better by then, so she was able to get some that really show all his great coloring around his head. He was even here later in the day for a little while when she got back from work. We like the comparison of the pictures for two reason. It shows the distinct size difference between him and the geese and also the difference the lighting can make.