Lots of snow last night but the ducks were out in force this morning at Ashbridge’s bay..

Try and identify this duck.

No matter which bird guide you consult, you will not find a picture of this little beauty.

It helps to see who this individual is chumming with.

The duck is a hybrid between Common Goldeneye and the somewhat smaller Hooded Merganser.

if you cannot find a duck in your field guide, search for “hybrid duck photos” on-line.

Another good find here was a female Harlequin Duck.

Harlequin Ducks nest along fast-flowing rocky rivers and spend the winter in salt water. Apparently most suffer various broken bones from their dangerous feeding grounds.

Here is a painting by Barry Kent MacKay of Harlequin Ducks.

Other birds:

Today’s group:

NATURE POETRY

When February sun shines cold,
There comes a day when in the air
The wings of winter
Slow unfold,
And show the golden summer there.                           – Philip Savage (1868–99)

Miles Hearn