Smart dresser

This is another sighting that pleased me this morning, as seldom have I been able to get this close to the American Wigeons. This male was one of five wigeons that had been resting in the cattails fairly close to the railbed, but that moved away as I approached. He has nearly completed his molt into his winter garb, so is looking rather fetching.

Infrequent visitors

When I was searching for the Wood Ducks yesterday, I caught a glimpse of a bird sitting close to the water's edge. A closer look through my binoculars revealed the tell-tale eye smudge of an American Wigeon, seen sleeping in the top photo above. (It's difficult to tell if it was a female or a male in eclipse plumage.) It soon became aware of my presence, and swam away - with its partner. Wigeons have been seen here in small numbers, usually at this time of the year.

Standing out in the crowd

A cloudy and sometimes drizzly day. This morning, as usual, there were quite a number of ducks (and one cormorant) resting on the island where the Canada geese nested in the spring. Among several sleeping Black Ducks were two ducks with white bellies, which I believe are American Wigeons. Wigeons have been present on the marsh in previous years, but this is the first time I have noticed them this year.

You can see white feathers on the ground under the ducks; the ducks have begun their late summer molt, and these feathers are present everywhere.