This gallery contains 2 photos. This is the famed Bufflehead drake sentry that calls Burnaby Lake home, and he takes his patrol duty very seriously — giving me a quick onceover as he swings by the floating dock. Buffleheads are gorgeous ducks which overwinter in small flocks in Metro Vancouver. They usually keep their distance from cameras, but one is often “appointed” to check out the action. If safety and food are assured, the rest of the flock joins him. At least, that’s been the behaviour of the ones I’ve observed.
well hello, gorgeous! do you know how long I have been chasing you?
f/6.3, 1/1600, 150-500mm telephoto lens, 500mm, ISO 800
There was just enough filtered sunlight on this inaugural spring afternoon to make the colours of his iridescent head visible. I have been chasing these small seaducks for a couple of winters before finally getting these closeups. Photographed at Burnaby Lake / Piper Spit on March 21.
(almost) all the colours of the rainbow in that buffalo-shaped head of yours!
f/6.3, 1/1600, 150-500mm telephoto lens, 500mm, ISO 800
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A typical male showing off his plumage.
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it works! 🙂 he’s got me won over with his iridescent head. 🙂
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These little guys are so adorable! With their short beaks they seem shy, demur, unimposing, vulnerable. ♡♡♡
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they are! and it makes me want to take one home! (alive and healthy, of course!) 😀
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You captured the iridescence beautifully.
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thank you, Sherry!
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Are beautiful photos, he is gorgeous!!
Greetings, Patrizia
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thank you, Pat!!
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It is beautiful this Bufflehead Drake, I like your pictures.
Thank you for sharing.
I wish you a good Friday.
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thank you, Hervé! good weekend to you!
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Nice one! I remember admiring a mandarin duck in Germany. My friend said it was the only one among the crowd for some reason. I wonder if we have any of those in Canada. I have never seen a Bufflehead Drake before but love the name and the coiff.
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thanks, Jane!
Mandarin Ducks are native to Asia (China, Japan, Russia). We have the odd escapee here in Vancouver, and the U.K. and parts of Europe have a few thousand. there are even some in parts of the U.S., but no wild flocks in Canada. 😦
our colourful answer to the Mandarin Duck is its cousin, the Wood Duck.
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We just need to bring two of opposite gender here and let things take their course. :}
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actually, to diversify the gene pool, we would probably need quite a few breeding pairs.
I think someone here was raising some Mandarin ducks, and one of the males escaped (but only him!)
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Typical. Like outdoor cats. Usually the males disappear.
I’ll email Justin and get him on the diversification of Canada-animal and otherwise.
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actually, I believe that male Mandarin Duck has been spotted from time to time in North Vancouver. 🙂
PS. ROTFL!! 😀 😀 😀
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I started to smile when I saw these photos – your pictures tend to do that for me.
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thank you, Noelle! 🙂
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What a brilliant reward for a long chase. They’re lovely 😀
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thank you, Elle!
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