Winter Waterfowl

Birding can be pretty slow at this time of year, but waterfowl are one group that can be found year round, providing you can locate some open water!  I made a trip down to Hamilton on January 1st with a friend and we were rewarded with all the usual species as well as Ross's Geese and a King Eider!  

Definitely the closest I have ever been to Ross's Geese.  We came around the corner at the park and there they were at our feet foraging on the grass beside a busy trail.

The King Eider was out pretty far, so I was only able to get distant record shots.

I participated in the Grand River winter waterfowl survey yesterday and saw the usual species and was able to get a few shots that I was happy with! I think goldeneye are my favourite common duck to photograph - they are quite striking.  The morning sun created a nice golden glow to the water and gave the floating ice a purplish hue.

Common Merganser pair