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Long-tailed Duck/Oldsquaw (25)

Clangula hyemalis

Brian Morin

Canada (Ontario)

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Date taken: Nov 24 2022

Details: male, adult, winter plummage

Presqu'ile Provincial Park - This is a fairly rare shot of a common winter duck on Lake Ontario. I have never seen one out of the water although I have seen thousands. The bird was about 20 metres offshore and I stealthily approached very slowly, stopping with each small advancement. I used the camera on tripod as my blind so my form would not be obvious. It worked. In fact, I could have gotten even closer but I stopped when the water reached 3/4" from the top of my rubber boots. I knew what would happen next. I'd turn around and head for shore and it would move (I was about 10 metres into the lake). As soon as I turned it headed into the water and swam away.

The best thing about this rare experience was the setting. It was perfect late afternoon light with the bird in exactly the right position.

Date uploaded: Nov 27 2022

Comments (8):
Chris: What an experience. Similarly I’ve never seen one out of water. Terrific timing with the last rays of sun. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
BrianMorin: It shows that sometimes the impossible happens. My only regret is that my boots weren't knee length. :)

Red-vented Bulbul (5)

Pycnonotus cafer

Krish

India

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Date taken: Nov 25 2022

Date uploaded: Nov 26 2022

Comments (1):
Chris: That’s great work Krish. Love the slow-motion action too.

Western Cattle Egret (33)

Ardea ibis

Brian Morin

Canada (Ontario)

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Date taken: Nov 15 2022

Details: immature, outside normal range

Brighton - My fourth and likely the last Cattle Egret for the year. The bird was just north of Presqu'ile Provincial Park and I was passing only a few kilometres away so I stopped to check it out. This was a stellar year for these birds, with several dozen appearing in diverse locations, including Northern Ontario. The bird was finally driven out by snow.

Date uploaded: Nov 23 2022

Comments (6):
Chris: Wow. Quite a set of experiences. Hope they somehow went south.
BrianMorin: Unlike wandering songbirds that get lost late in the season and lose the interest in migrating, often perishing when the weather turns very cold, these birds seem to be smart enough to exit before they get in trouble.

Pallid Harrier (2)

Circus macrourus

(Near-threatened)

Krish

India

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Date taken: Oct 30 2022

Details: male, adult

A regular winter visitor to western India, they seem to suddenly appear, mostly in the last few minutes before darkness.

Date uploaded: Nov 19 2022

Comments (3):
BrianMorin: He's a beauty. Great light.
Chris: Stunning all around.

American Wigeon (30)

Anas americana

Brian Morin

Canada (Ontario)

Date taken: Nov 17 2022

Details: male, adult

Ottawa - The duck, one of three, was in a city park in a pond. It had paused along the shore with a very large boulder offering a pleasing background.

Date uploaded: Nov 19 2022

Comments (2):
Chris: Agreed…great subject and background. Looks like the rock has some type of lichen or covering.
BrianMorin: Yes, could have been some but it was also an igneous boulder with a natural pinkish-brown tone. I think the warm light helped too.