Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Harlequin ducks

I am linking up with World Bird Wednesday and  Nature Notes

The Harlequins are one of my favorite ducks. They are being seen all along the Atlantic coastline from Maryland to the New Jersey shores. This duck has a beautiful pattern of cinnamon and cobalt blue colors. You can also see white stripes on its head and breast and a white spot at its ear. The female has a round white spot behind her ear.



IMG_2462_1
 
They breed in some fast moving river in Canada and the Pacific Northwest and winter along the rocky coastlines.
 
IMG_2340_harlequin (Large)
 
 
 
To see more wonderful birds check out World Bird Wednesday and for
more nature photos and post please visit Nature Notes.  Thanks to both Springman and Michelle for hosting these fun memes. Also, thank you for stopping by to see my post.

I hope everyone has a great week and Happy Birding!!!

38 comments:

936000 said...

Gorgeous ducks and photos Eileen!
xx

TexWisGirl said...

SO cool! they almost look plastic!

Bob Bushell said...

Oh, the Harlequin Ducks together, that is precious Eileen.

Kerri Farley said...

These are AWESOME!

NatureFootstep said...

wow, you found some real beauties. It is too bad but we don´t have this kind of ducks. :)

Unknown said...

They are certainly beautiful birds!

Carol said...

Beautiful ducks, I love the colors and the marking.

mick said...

Beautifully colored and patterned ducks - and great photos of them.

Nature Rambles said...

Never seen ducks with such pretty patterns. Beautiful!

rainfield61 said...

They have "white eyes". Cool.

Anonymous said...

Hi Eileen, Oh, how I want to see some of those gorgeous ducks. I never have. Your pictures are great! Have a super Wednesday!

holdingmoments said...

Such a striking colour combination Eileen. Beautiful looking ducks.

diane b said...

I've never seen ducks like these. They look like they have been hand painted. Their markings are amazing.

Karin M. said...

Oh .... but these are sooooo cute ducks, very beautiful pictures ...
Greeting Karin.

Dan Huber said...

I have only seen a male in nonbreeding from afar. Your series is absolutely stunning. Wow.

dan

Phil Slade said...

Just super shots Eileen and I didn't realise Harlequins occured so far south until I read your post. Wish we got them in the UK, but we don't.

caite said...

I have never seen one, even if they should be right in my neck of the woods.

Jen Sanford said...

Ooh great photos of one of my favorite ducks! Though here in the northwest I rarely see them in the sunlight- what a treat!

LindyLouMac said...

What handsome chaps these ducks are.

Rambling Woods said...

I have linked you to Nature Notes..I love waterfowl of all kinds and these are really cool ducks...Michelle

EG CameraGirl said...

They are such attractive ducks!

theconstantwalker said...

Wonderful birds to see..

Springman said...

Ducks are so remarkable, just when you think you've seen it all...no way, another beautiful species!
Beautiful Eileen!

trump said...

Greetings from the Amish community of Lebanon Pennsylvania. I'm just stopping at Radom blogs and checking them out, and wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and New years. Richard from Amish Stories.

Carver said...

You got some great shots of these ducks.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

They look like Mandarin ducks, The Chinese love them because they are pairs for life. On Weddings, bridal couples are presented pictures of a pair of Mandarin ducks.

joo said...

I love them, I really do, Eileen:)

Julie G. said...

Stunning colors and markings on these lovely ducks. They almost look painted. Terrific images, Eileen! So glad I can view such beauty on your wonderful blog. Thanks for sharing!

Brian King said...

Gorgeous ducks! Love the colors. Your blog header is great, Eileen!

Hilke Breder said...

A beautiful duck, the males of course. And you got some gorgeous close-ups, Eileen! You are lucky - I've never gotten this close to them.

Indrani said...

Beautiful patterns, and they look good on blue waters.

laurak/ForestWalkArt :) said...

wOw!!!!! what gorgeous ducks!! their markings are beautiful...and so are your pictures!!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Amazing wonderful ducks -- I've yet to see one.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful ducks!

SquirrelQueen said...

The Harlequins are so pretty. I know they are in this area but I can't seem to be in the right place at the right time to see them. For now I'll just enjoy your photos of these beauties.

Unknown said...

They are gorgeous! Would love to see them one of these days!

Kenneth Cole Schneider said...

Simply beautiful ducks, and such an interesting species.

lotusleaf said...

Beautiful ducks! They don't seem to visit our warmer parts.

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