Saturday, March 4, 2017

Saturday Critters ~ 168 ~

I am forever hunting for ducks to photograph.
The Jersey Shore seems to be a hot spot for ducks over the Winter migration period.
I don't think the ducks I am seeing this Winter are normally here during the Summer,
but I will have to pay closer attention as the seasons change.

On a recent Duck Hunt I found these
Shovelers 
Weird name - right?

The girls look very similar to Female Mallards - even the boys resemble the Male Mallards.
- to me anyway -
These were pretty far out in the lake but once I got as close as I could,
without falling in,
it was clear they were not Mallards.
I don't think I have ever seen this duck before, 
so once again, "google" became my friend and ended the mystery.
I don't know how we ever did anything without "google"!





Bottoms up!!

Sharing today's images with 

30 comments:

Marie Smith said...

Love the ducks. Great photos. The last photo of the duck with "bottoms up" is my favourite.

Optimistic Existentialist said...

These are some of the best duck pictures I have seen in quite some time...I heart them!

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

I love ducks!!

Sally said...

Such beautiful photo's, Debbie. You never cease to amaze with your photography!

xoxo

Judy said...

What Sally said!! Amazing photography!

21 Wits said...

These ducks are wonderful, and they're all having a ducky time too!

Christine said...

That's a new duck to me & with a strange name of shoveler! Their large beaks do resemble a shovel & perhaps they use them to shovel the bed of the lake etc?
Really great to see them through your photos, Debbie!

Prunella Pepperpot said...

Great images of ducks. It always amuses me when their little tails are the only part visible.
Have a beautiful weekend :)

Sandra Cox said...

Great pics. I love ducks but I'm not familiar with the breeds. What is the difference between these and mallards?

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

The shovelers do have a crazy looking beak and I love the way all ducks dive! Enjoy your weekend!

Ruth Hiebert said...

Beautiful photos of these beautiful birds. The Shovelers have this huge bill which reminds me of a shovel, therefore the name is easy to remember. At least that helps me to remember.

Sue (this n that) said...

They're lovely and, yes, I think their names are funny - not very complementary but, well, if it fits the bill ;D)
Love when they do the 'bottoms up' --- so cute. Cheers now! xx

Karen Lakis said...

Ah, very cute! I love the one taking a dive in the last photo!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Wonderful photos of happy ducks! I do believe they are enjoying the mild winter this year!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Debbie, great series on the Shovelers. The male is beautiful, I like his colors. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Enjoy your day and the weekend!

Judy Biggerstaff said...

Nice pics on the Shovelers. Great colors, thanks for sharing your beautiful ducks.

Adam said...

nice photos of the ducks

Ida said...

Those beaks give them the weird name. I like them. We have some here but they are in our park aviary enclosure. Loved the Bottoms Up photo.

Lowcarb team member said...

I like all of your photo's - especially the bottoms up one.

Happy Weekend Wishes

All the best Jan

Brian King said...

They're gorgeous ducks! I've never seen one, but would love to.

A Colorful World said...

Wonderful duck shots!

Conniecrafter said...

How fun to discover new birds, I always love it when they go under like that, it is amazing how long they can stay that way too :)
Greg and I were just talking about how we go to google for everything now a days, back in the day we had to go to the Library to check anything out.

Linda said...

I love ducks, too! Especially the ones at the ranch! LOVE your photos!!

Linda said...

Nice shots! We have mallards here. I don't know about shovelers.

rainfield61 said...

You are forever hunting for ducks.
So, your ducks are my mushrooms.

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

Yes I agree a beautiful duck and well named becasue of their beak that looks like a shovel

Breathtaking said...

Hello Debbie,:) Thank you for your visits whilst I was indisposed. I so appreciated you passing by to say Hi!:) These ducks are aptly named because of their beaks, but they also have beautiful plumage,...nicely captured, and thanks for the smiles of your Bottoms Up photo.:))

Anni said...

Love, love, love the Bottoms Up image.

And the Northern Shoveler is here by the 1000s also. I think the name, because of the shovel like bill/beak is fitting. And the male as you found is so colorful! Great images.

Thanks so much, Debbie, for joining in with us bird enthusiasts this weekend and sharing your link at I'd Rather B Birdin'!

Jenn Jilks said...

Imagine! Open water!

LeAnn said...

As always you do the best bird photos ever. I loved the bottom up one. They do look like Mallards. Yes, what would we do without google. I know I haven't heard of Shovlers before; so interesting.
Sending hugs your way for another interesting photo and google moment!