Lesser Scaup Feasting

The Lesser Scaup on Lake Terrace tend to stay out near the center of the water or mixed in with the Ring-necked Ducks. This evening, a few over them were right near the road feeding. I could not believe the size of the clams they were surfacing with and swallowing whole. Who knew there were so many of those things in the mud in this relatively small lake?



The female Scaup positioned the clam for a few seconds and then...gulp!



All of the birds were diving and surfacing with clams quickly. I was at the right place at the right time with great light. I took all of these shots out of the opened passenger-side window and never left the van. A rare treat.



This male was busy mouthing the clam trying to get it in the proper position. Check out that tongue and fierce look!



With a clam in its gullet, a male turns sideways to let the Sun light up its head revealing a green glow.



A very interesting stop and learning experience. Scaup eating clams whole and right by the shore. Nice. That top image will be on the wall at work very shortly!