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Long-tailed Duck/Oldsquaw (24)

Clangula hyemalis

Brian Morin

Canada (Ontario)

📍 Map

Date taken: Jan 1 2024

Details: male, adult

Hamilton - Long-tailed Ducks are common in the area in winter but I had to capture this bird. It had the longest tail I have seen on this species.

Date uploaded: Jan 6

Comments (6):
Ahmad Shah: Fabulous capture, superb detail.
Brian Morin: Thanks. The light, while dull, gave uniform colour. The lack of wind kept the water like glass.

Long-tailed Duck/Oldsquaw (24)

Clangula hyemalis

Brian Morin

Canada (Ontario)

📍 Map

Date taken: Dec 27 2022

Details: male, adult, winter plummage

Burlington - A common winter bird in the region

Date uploaded: Jan 2 2023

Comments (2):
Chris: You are having a lot of luck with this species.
BrianMorin: On my way to London (Ontario) after Christmas I made a point of stopping in Burlington to check out the waterfowl. This is a great spot to see a large number of Long-tailed Ducks in the ship canal, often in close range. There can be a few hundred or several thousand depending on weather conditions. When it is windy the numbers are greater because they come in for shelter.

Long-tailed Duck/Oldsquaw (24)

Clangula hyemalis

Brian Morin

Canada (Ontario)

📍 Map

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. :)