The first of our overwintering buffleheads (Bucephala albeola) have returned to our bay. © BCP 2010
A great deal of excitement at Ashbridge’s Bay this week with the return of our winter ducks. The first batch of buffleheads (Bucephala albeola) and longtails (Clangula hyemalis) are back in the bay, and what a welcome sight they are. The buffies, in particular, are the most amusing ducks. So round and roly poly they seem. They’re the smallest duck in North America, and are sometimes called “butterballs.”
The longtails, formerly known as Oldsquaws in less progressive times, are a delight, too. I especially love to hear their incessant calls, which carry brilliantly across the open water on the lake side of the park. If they’re out there anywhere, you’ll always know it.
One of my bird books (An Audubon Handbook of Eastern Birds) says that the little buffies are often quite tame. You couldn’t prove that by me. As far as I’m concerned, they’re darn skittish. And without a blind, I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to get close enough to one to get a decent photo. Even with my 400-mm lens, the picture above is the best I could do Thursday afternoon. As soon as these ducks sense a non-avian presence on the shore (that would be me, trying my hardest to tiptoe through the crispy crunchy falls leaves underfoot), they turn and — as one — head farther out into the bay.
I’m persistent, though. One of these days I’ll get the shot I’m looking for.
© BCP 2010
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