Saturday Critters #636

 - good morning friends -

I am writing these words today as I have slept for the better part of the week.

I awoke at 3 a.m. on this gorgeous Saturday morning and I decided to share some thoughts.

I am keeping a watchful eye on the back window,

as I have convinced myself that I will be rewarded with a beautiful sunrise, we shall see.

I feel better, a little happier and I am now certain I am not going to die.

The last time I was outside the house was Saturday, for our Valentines Celebration.

 Sunday morning I woke to Covid.

I did not pick it up at the lovely restaurant, 

as it would have taken longer for the symptoms to rear their ugly heads.

After eating we parked at the inlet across the street to see the afternoon happenings.

We saw 2 of the more common winter ducks, ones we only see at the Jersey Shore during winter.

The first 5 pictures are of one of my favorites...

The Long Tailed Duck

Sexes are dissimilar, I believe all of these are males.

They are attractive diving ducks and only the males sport the long tail.

In all of the pictures I took, I could see the tail falling and cascading in the water.

I think they look like puppies.

This is the best picture that captures the long cascading tail. 

The next 4 images are of a...

Female Lesser Scaup

Although a familiar diving duck, they only visit us here at the Jersey Shore in the winter.

They are said to be similar to the Greater Scaups counterparts 

but the peaked crown is a reliable diagnostic feature as is the upper wing pattern when in flight.

I am fairly confident these are all females.

This is my collection of bird books...the ones I use to identify my feathered friends.

The tan book on the left was my Aunts book...she was my favorite person.

We spent many hours watching birds at her dining room.

All of these pictures were taken on Valentines Day.

Sharing today's images with Eileen at 

Viewing Nature With Eileen 

for Saturdays Critters