Ruddys Return

Not much out of the ordinary out on the lakes tonight until I spotted a couple of small shapes out on Lake Davis. Though they were sleeping you can definitely make out the facial patterns of Ruddy Ducks floating on the surface.



Nice to see. I don't think I found any Ruddy Ducks in the past couple of years out there. Still searching for any weird arrivals before the season is out but duck numbers are rather low all over the area. I blame the weather. December and still in the mid- to upper-80s every day.

Migration North is Almost Here

March already? Not much even happened in February...

I figured I had better stop by the local lakes to get a shot of some Ruddy Ducks. Almost time for them to head back north. They usually are resting out near the center of Lake Davis but this afternoon they were sitting and slashing near the shore.

This female Ruddy seemed quite comfortable.



I was especially interested in attempting to get a shot of the male. He was a bit farther out but not to far out to not be able to see his bill and plumage changing toward his Summer attire.



Also along the shoreline was a beautiful Tri-colored Heron who didn't seem to mind my close proximity at all.



On the way back to the car I spotted another bird ready to head home. A Yellow-rumped (Mytle) Warbler. Haven't seen as many this year.



Time to go searching before all the Winter birds turn towards their Summer home.