Northern Shoveler

[Loupey]

Poor quality - sorry.

Wasn't able to get anywhere close to these guys all year. Found these 4 today. Long shots (both with the 300mm + 2x TC) at ISO 800 on a gray overcast day.

Will try to start posting regularly soon.

[mn shutterbug]

Another one on my "to shoot" list. I like the second one. The head is tack sharp.

[Cassie1]

I really like that second image Loupey.

Cassie.

[Loupey]

Thanks for looking, Mike and Cassie.

Definitely fun to watch for the first time. The four of them would start to "ring around the rosie" following each other in a tight circle with their bills in the water sifting the vegetation. I just wish I could get even closer to get a better shot of those crazy bills.

Very shy these birds.

[mn shutterbug]

Very shy these birds.

Which is odd, because they don't even taste that good.

[Loupey]

Not even like chicken?

[AmberC]

Wow.. its not obvious at all why they've got their name ;) I think I might have seen something similar here, with a real big wide beak like that. I'll have to see if I can find the picture.

Love the second one!
Amber

[paulnj]

No inland shovelers in my area.... I looked for waterfowl all day yesterday for the "Christmas Bird Count". Nice shot on that single drake.