Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Oh those Golden Eyes!

In the Northeast one can usually find Common Goldeneyes on local streams and lakes as long as there is open water. The drakes are stunningly handsome with their jewel-like eyes and their finely detailed black-and-white plumage.... 

So, with some imagination can't you see them in the Golden Book of Fairy Tales?









The Barrow's Goldeneye on the other hand is a rare visitor hereThere are several subtle differences, the most obvious one being a crescent patch on the face rather than an oval one.
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I almost saw one the other day on the Connecticut River at the Vernon Dam, but it was just out of sight, my view blocked by a patch of tall cattails. So for illustration i am left with a photo I took of a captive bird in a zoo a couple of years ago. 



 Wish me luck! I am sure eventually I am going to see a real wild one!

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17 comments:

  1. AndyJanuary 11, 2011 at 5:44 PM

    Cheers! Hope you spot one.

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  2. theconstantwalkerJanuary 11, 2011 at 5:46 PM

    We have Goldeneye in the UK but I haven't managed to capture an image of one yet.

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  3. UnknownJanuary 11, 2011 at 5:51 PM

    Beautiful captures Hilke.Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  4. SpringmanJanuary 11, 2011 at 8:27 PM

    In the spring, before the ice breaks up on the river but has developed patches of open water, an occasional Golden Eye will stop over here on its migration. It is a great treat to see one so close to home once a year. Good luck on your quest to catch a Barrows Golden Eye!
    ;-)WBW

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  5. SondraJanuary 11, 2011 at 8:46 PM

    I really hope you get to see the Barrows in the wilds...but either way YOUR photos are awesome...

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  6. Empty NesterJanuary 11, 2011 at 8:59 PM

    Excellent photos! Love the golden eyes!

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  7. holdingmomentsJanuary 12, 2011 at 1:49 AM

    The Common Goldeneye is a winter visitor here, and a lovely bird.
    You've caught his green sheen on the head perfectly.
    Good luck with seeing the Barrows.

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  8. UnknownJanuary 12, 2011 at 2:53 AM

    I'm with you, Hilke. I plan on seeing one this winter, actually.

    Outstanding photos, as always!

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  9. Robin RobinsonJanuary 12, 2011 at 8:36 AM

    I've got mine this winter and couldn't be happier. I'll be posting a comparison piece of both Goldeneyes soon. Nice piece you've got here. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you! I have to say I was a little dissapointed that when the title said "Goldeneys" on FB and here, I was really hoping to see a new, self portrait of your lovely smiling face!

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  10. Jen SanfordJanuary 12, 2011 at 10:24 AM

    These are great photos! We don't usually see many here in Portland but for some reason we've been lucky this winter and have had many of each kind in our rivers!

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  11. AnonymousJanuary 12, 2011 at 10:35 AM

    Great photos!

    I don't think we have Goldeneyes in our area of Southern California. It sure is a pretty bird :-)

    ~Ron

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  12. MaryJanuary 12, 2011 at 12:11 PM

    What a gorgeous duck! That eye really shows and the color of the feathers is beautiful. Sometimes zoos are the best place to find those hard to find birds :-)

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  13. mickJanuary 12, 2011 at 1:58 PM

    Great photos and I really like the reflection in the first photo where even the golden eye is reflected.

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  14. NatureFootstepJanuary 12, 2011 at 2:41 PM

    great shots of a beautiful duck.

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  15. ChrisJanuary 13, 2011 at 9:26 AM

    I hope you will see one wild one Hilke... I've seen it in Finland in 2000 and once in Iceland, a lost individual.... I can send you many barrow's goldeneyes, but not unfortunately any of the common... Nice shots you got BTW.

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  16. Hilke BrederJanuary 14, 2011 at 12:36 PM

    Thank you all for your kind comments and good wishes - they may help speed me along to a sighting this year.

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  17. UnknownJanuary 14, 2011 at 2:15 PM

    These ducks are so amazing! I have never seen one...

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