Sunday, December 20

Duck, Duck, Goose

Friday I headed out for a drive up Hwy 44, and did an impromptu stop at Canyon Lake at the W end of Rapid City. I'm really glad I did, cause besides the usual residents there were some neat surprises...

Right off I was greeted by this bold-looking fellow, his green head beautiful in the sunlight...


A curious snow-white goose peering up at me on the bridge...sorry, no hand-outs...


Of course these guys need no introduction...at Canyon Lake and many other public lakes, they're common year-round residents...


There are greater white-fronted geese (eastern region) and white-fronted geese (western region)...this looks like the guide photo of an imm. white-fronted goose...whatever they are they're common at public lakes...


Among the usual residents was a flock of common goldeneyes! These seasonal visitors were hard to get close enough to for a decent shot, but once I'd been on the bridge for a few minutes, a few ventured closer..


And a few buffleheads were sighted too! Their irridescent heads shine green and purple in the sun...


...And just down the road, I took a quick look-see at a dog park,  where a red squirrel was skittering around in the snow.

8 comments:

  1. beautiful as always - I really like your new header pic - take care, and drive carefully on those snowy roads. marge

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  2. Hi Jann.
    Just been admiring your photo's.Traced you from Warren's blog http://pittswoodpatch.blogspot.com/
    Love the Bufflehead, any chance you sending some over here to England.
    Your photography is terrific.Keep it up. I will look in again.

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  3. seems we are indeed having similar winter wether Jann, I bet it's a lot colder where you are though! Love that mallard photo, and those goldeneye, well done!

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  4. Jann,
    You always see the neatest creatures..and your photos are delightful. I wish I had more open ground to visit..living in the burbs can be annoying sometimes..being able to get in your car and take off and find these guys must be quite fun! I esp like that golden eye and buffelhead. Wow!!

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  5. Hi Jann. Nice to see species I recognise. You definitely got closer to the Goldeneye than I can ever achieve. FAB.

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  6. Hi Jann.
    In reply to your comments on my blog. If I am going to be stalked by someone it might as well be a beautiful woman.

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  7. Doing CBC today, took similar pictures at Canyon Lake, figured to blog those, do you suppose we shot the same things like we did at Spearfish Canyon this summer?
    I am still trying to get good pictures of buffleheads and whistlers, too.

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  8. I hadn't seen a golden eye or a baffle head in this area. Beautiful birds.

    Jann, wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas.
    Marnie

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