Thursday, March 17, 2011

Lesser Scaup

Beautiful spring day today. I drove across the CT River to Keene, NH to follow-up on a report of various waterfowl being sighted in a ditch along Cornwell Dr. At first I didn't see much except for a scattering of Canada Geese and a few Mallards. But then a small very dark bird, about the size of a ring-necked duck, with a prominent broad white patch at the base of its beak attracted my attention. It swam rapidly along the shore away from me, apparently not liking my presence in the car next to the ditch, but it did not fly away nor did it dive. While I was checking the settings on my camera, it had gained some distance and had climbed out of the water, but as soon as I came close again it scrambled back into the water.


  My guess is it's a female Lesser Scaup, more likely to be found inland than the Greater Scaup, but I can't be 100% sure. They are so close in appearance. She was probably making a stop-over on her way to her breeding grounds further north in Canada or Alaska. I was surprised though to find her all by herself. Had she somehow become separated from the flock she was traveling with?









Well, I wish her a safe journey! Bon Voyage!

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25 comments:

  1. Lynne at Hasty BrookMarch 17, 2011 at 5:03 PM

    What a wonderful series of photos! Very helpful.

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  2. BillMarch 17, 2011 at 5:21 PM

    A great capture of a bird on the move', can't help but taking away a slight sense of desperation on her part. The fascination of migration is endless to me.

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  3. Adam TiltMarch 17, 2011 at 5:27 PM

    I know what you mean about the similarities between Greater and Lesser Scaup. I can never tell the difference. Well captured either way.

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  4. Julie G.March 17, 2011 at 6:00 PM

    Wonderful series of photographs! She's a beauty. I hope she remains safe.

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  5. AndyMarch 17, 2011 at 7:29 PM

    What excellent views you have!

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  6. Kah-Wai LinMarch 18, 2011 at 6:43 AM

    Nice capture! Spring is arrived!

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  7. NatureFootstepMarch 18, 2011 at 6:58 AM

    wow, it´s rare to see the feet like that. Love it. :)

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  8. UnknownMarch 18, 2011 at 8:46 AM

    That one with the reflection in the water is great Hilke.

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  9. David LipsyMarch 18, 2011 at 9:59 PM

    I love her expression... your wonderful pictures made me laugh. I especially love the angled water shot (2nd to last). The curvature of her bill makes her look both happy and demure.

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  10. Robin RobinsonMarch 19, 2011 at 9:03 AM

    fine duck! Love the reflection and the face on shots. Looks like it's thinking about charging you, Hilke! Nice gets

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  11. UnknownMarch 19, 2011 at 6:27 PM

    Beautiful duck and aewsome reflection shot on top.

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  12. Bill S.March 19, 2011 at 11:47 PM

    Wonderful pictures of this beautiful waterfowl. You did a wonderful job.

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  13. Erica HouskeeperMarch 20, 2011 at 10:02 AM

    These are lovely photos Larry. We went for a drive yesterday and saw some Canadian geese and I believe a few mallards. A sign of spring! At last! Hope you are doing well. Happy birding!

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  14. Harold StiverMarch 20, 2011 at 11:50 PM

    Very nice series of images. It is strange she would be on her own like that.

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  15. jeanlivingsimpleMarch 21, 2011 at 10:18 PM

    Very cool captures! She looks like she wasn't shy at all.:)

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  16. FotokarusellenMarch 22, 2011 at 3:50 PM

    A very nice set of images. Well done.

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  17. mickMarch 22, 2011 at 5:08 PM

    All nice photos but the first one is especially beautiful.

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  18. SondraMarch 22, 2011 at 5:49 PM

    WOW another Wonderful BIRD to see--great photos too.

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  19. theconstantwalkerMarch 22, 2011 at 5:57 PM

    I love the straight on face pic #2Lovely bird and a great series of images.

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  20. FABMarch 22, 2011 at 6:45 PM

    A great series of shots Hilke. As far as I recall the Lesser head has a slight peak at the rear wheras the Greater is rounded like the Tufted Duck. FAB.

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  21. SpringmanMarch 22, 2011 at 7:59 PM

    Great shots Hilke, a tribute to your great eye!

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  22. holdingmomentsMarch 23, 2011 at 12:04 AM

    Great find Hilke.
    They are a bit of a rarity here, and always cause some excitement when they turn up.

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  23. PatMarch 23, 2011 at 12:04 AM

    She's a lovely duck and you got some really nice shots of her!

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  24. Hilke BrederMarch 25, 2011 at 1:47 PM

    Thank you all for your comments!! After studying guidebooks I still wasn't sure whether it was a Lesser or Greater Scaup but got a unanimous opinion on Birdforum.net ID forum that it was a Lesser S. When I checked back the next day, she had left.

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  25. LarryMarch 26, 2011 at 2:03 PM

    This is a beautiful series of the Lesser Scaup Hilke. The first reflection image is super!

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