Lake Of The Lilies

Most of the winter ducks are gone at Lake of the Lilies.

One duck that was still hanging around yesterday when I visited was the

Male Greater Scaup

A really beautiful duck where the head appears black in poor light but is actually green.

Belly and flanks are white, back is pale gray and the eyes are bright yellow.

They are noted to be diving ducks but they all stayed above water yesterday,

making them easier to photograph.

According to my bird book, they are here only in the winter,

so this may be the last time I see them this spring.

They were hanging around with what looks to be the 

Female Greater Scaup - but could be the Female Lesser Scaup,

they look very similar in my bird book.

They seemed to be coupled up as they swam around the lake,
some getting very close to the shoreline making them easier to photograph!