Saturday's Critters #415

 I have been visiting all of the local lakes and a lot of the winter ducks have arrived.

I am so excited to see them but most swim in the center of the lake...

- come on guys, what's up with that -

making it very difficult to get good pictures.

I have taken 100's of pictures, most not worth sharing, but the joy in seeing them is undeniable.

These images are from our first stop

Spring Lake

This is not a typical stop for us but we decided to branch out and be adventurous.

This paid off as these are the first Hooded Mergansers I have seen this winter.

My book says they are present here year round but I only see then during the winter.

It was a thrill!

I love this picture because you can see the markings in his feathers.

I like this picture because you can see how the 

Male Hooded Merganser's look, 

hood up and hood down.

It was a fairly big group, at least 20.

Male Merganser

Female Merganser

Couples

This is one of my favorite winter ducks.

I don't know what duck in the center is, if anyone else does, please let me know.

Next we went to Lake of the Lilies...

I saw a lot of American Wigeon, both male and female.

The males have the green on it's head.

I also saw a lot of what I believe to be Lesser Scaups.

It is difficult for me to tell the difference between the Lesser and Greater Scaups.

This is the male.

Female Lesser Scaup

This is Lake of the Lilies.

A huge, beautiful lake with gorgeous clouds on this day.

The swans are still here which is surprising, they left last winter and there were a lot of Ruddy ducks.

As of now, the Wood Ducks have not returned!

Sharing today's images with Eileen at 

Viewing Nature With Eileen 

for Saturday Critters