Sunday, January 12, 2014

Loch Raven walk



  I am linking up with Mosaic Monday and Our World Tuesday 

January 12, 2014

Hubby and I went took our weekend walk  at the Loch Raven Reservoir. I picked this spot mainly because I knew there are usually a lot of different ducks in the winter. It was colder than I was expecting we it was a brisk walk and we did not hang around looking at the ducks for too long. It is nice that they close this road for the hiker, bikers and joggers on the weekends.


Hubby and Goldie Girl walking ahead as I was taking photos.

There are usually gulls hanging around the edge of the lake. I am pretty sure these are the Ring-billed Gulls.



Across the lake we could see a large group of Ring-necked Ducks with the Canada Geese.


A few distance shots and in the middle a closer view of the Ring-necked Ducks.


This grouping includes the Common Merganser, Canada Geese and top right are some Redhead Ducks and the bottom right shot includes a Hooded Merganser.


Above are the Redhead Ducks and my favorite Hooded Merganser. Also a Canada Goose and some Coots in the background. I was hoping for some warmer weather today, but it was only 40 degrees and the wind felt like it was in the 30's.



Thanks for visiting my blog. I always appreciate your comments.
Join in on the fun and for more wonderful photos please visit  Mosaic Monday and more
 from  Our World Tuesday

 Thanks to our host: Mary our host of Mosaic Monday and to the hosting group of Our World Tuesday: Arija, Gattina, Lady Fi, Sylvia, Sandy and Jennifer.  I wish everyone a happy week ahead!

64 comments:

  1. Sounds and looks chilly, great photos though. Nice to see hubby and Goldie . . . from the backside even!

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  2. Eileen, lovely photos. They look cold! It has been a very cold week but it certainly has warmed up this weekend. That's so nice they close the road on weekends for walks!

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  3. Hi Eileen,

    What a wonderful walking path you and your hubby get to travel. I know that when I am lucky enough to have a friend to walk with, the landscape just feels more vibrant.

    I am always amazed at how you can name all those gorgeous birds!! Your passion for our feathered friends is contagious!

    Have a lovely week!

    Poppy

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  4. What a beautiful place to go for a walk Eileen. It looks cold. I love your winter photo,s

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  5. Quite a few waterfowl on such a cold day. At least a nice walk for Goldie Girl and her family.
    Judith

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  6. It looks cold, brrrr. Have a wonderful week, Eileen. Jenn

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  7. A nice walk you took! Always enjoy seeing your Goldie Girl, and the photos you're taking.

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  8. «Louis» passed on a chance to get some great shots of some mallard swimming in the ponds in front of the Blackhawk Museum in Danville, CA today. He was concentrating on the Packards on the plaza, placed there by members of the Packard Club who were having a meeting there. After seeing your photos, he wished he hadn't let this opportunity (ahem) fly the coop... :-)

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  9. Looks cold but no snow, that must be a comfort, good to see the ducks out and about.
    Merle............

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  10. Een when it turns ito a very cold walk, it is still worth doing. It is good to get out and so important for your dog. How nice that the road is closed to cars at weekends. Such a change to see such a people friendly place.
    Keep warm and drink lots of hot chocolate, chocolate has endorphins and endorphins make you happy!

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  11. a lovely scenic walk and quite chilly too; you'd have to be well rugged up

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  12. It looks as if you had a good walk even if it was a bit nippy. I like the wide variety of waterfowl you saw.

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  13. Hi Eillen!!!.. Great pictures as always .. Best regards.

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  14. You do have some good spots locally, and it does look cool. There are quite a few different ducks there too. Closing the road at weekends is a great idea.

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  15. Very nice variety! A few of these I've never seen. We do have Hoodies which are one of my favorites, too.

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  16. Special blog, have a great week Eileen.

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  17. Looks like the three of you always enjoy your walks and how nice that the road is closed off to larger vehicles on the weekend. I love all those ducks and geese, especially the red-headed one as I have never seen them before.

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  18. You would need to be really bundled up near the water on a cold day. The ducks do not seem to mind. I was taken back by the fact that you have no snow. Sort of expected it I guess. Valerie

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  19. Looks like a "hot spot" for wildlife and a great spot for a walk!! I would love to spot a hoodie!!

    It was too cold for me today and I am still trying to shake my awful head cold!!

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  20. Despite the cold, you really got some great shots, including the ones your husband and Goldie too!

    PS: You asked about Shadow being adopted. He belongs to us. The person we got Todd from works with someone who wanted to re-home him, and she thought of me--How could I say no? :-)

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  21. You are having a great time even in the cold winter.

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  22. Enjoyed the pics - even tho it looked like a cold walk. Sure wish I could tolerate the cold more.
    Thanks for stopping by. She does not bake like that often - just a special treat.
    Have a great week.

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  23. oh i would love to walk there - i bet it is fun to see how it changes over the different season. so fun!! ( :

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  24. You found a great variety on your walk! That looks like a wonderful place to hike and photograph or just wander around.

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  25. Always nice to get out for a walk, and it looks like you got some good bird shots too.

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  26. That is wonderful that the road is closed to vehicles on the weekends; I'm sure it makes for a much more peaceful walk! Glad you saw lots of great birds despite the cold! That Redhead is a beauty!

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  27. Hello Eileen!!!What a beautiful place for a walk!!!Goldy is a lucky girl!It's still cold there!!Wonderful pictures of birds!
    Hope you have a lovely week!!Hugs!!
    Dimi...

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  28. Nice photos you have make, Eileen!

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  29. looks like a lovely place to walk and see birds, even in the cold!

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  30. Lovely area for walking.
    Nice to see the redhead ducks, and other ducks.

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  31. I'm so glad you don't abandon your walks in winter Eileen!
    Wonderful bird images and your dog was having a fun time too!

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  32. Wonderful photos of your walk on this day. Great !
    Best regards, Synnöve

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  33. What a lovely place to walk - it looks very scenic and relaxing - and what a great idea to close the road for walkers at the weekend. We've been seeing your cold weather on our news over here in the UK - hope things have warmed up a little bit for you!

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  34. it looks like you had a nice but frosty walk anyway Eileen. Those seagulls look like they would rather be on a summer beach somewhere.
    Always wonderful to travel with you through your blog - have a good week and stay warm!

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  35. HI Eileen
    Wishing I could send you some warmth from here, temperatures so warm our extreme heat policy will come into play this week..
    So I have enjoyed a cooling walk with you to spot some fellow feathered friends, lovely photos as always.
    Saturday Critters - I'm in for next week I promise!!
    Wren x

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  36. walks at this time of year are almost always short and exhilarating!

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  37. That's a good long road for a walk to keep warm Eileen. A great mix of birds on the lake and the Hooded Merganser is just superb - no scope needed to pick that one out from amongst all the other wildfowl. Have a great week ahead despite the cold.

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  38. Oh gee! Hubby is not waiting for you??? LOL!
    Funny enough the same thing happens here too, how strange ;-)
    A great walk indeed, I would have spent hours trying to get close to these ducks!!
    Mergansers are ducks I have never seen.
    A wonderful place!
    Keep well Eileen!

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  39. Wow the Loch Raven Reservoir looks like an amazing place to spend an afternoon :)

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  40. It looks cold, but beautiful. How lovely to have the road closed to slow movers on the weekends.

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  41. The area you, hubby and Goldie Girl hike in is so beautiful! Looks like we are seeing the same ducks, but the one you called red-head looks like our canvasback. :)

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  42. brr

    Lot cooler than I had for my safari-ing this Sunday.

    I love ducks (eh, if they have feathers, I love 'em)

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  43. So YOU have all the ducks!! ;) Birding here has been pretty poor for the past few weeks probably because our weather has been so awful!

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  44. Wow..it looked cold but watching the ducks and geese sure is just enjoyable!

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  45. You're much braver than I am these days...the cold isn't for me. But your images are, as always, super. Love the photo of your hubby and Goldie Girl...looks like a forest.

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  46. You so embrace all the seasons! Good woman.

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  47. Looks like a good quiet place to walk. I know sea gulls could be annoying sometimes but I like them. They're the only birds that stand long enough for me to click the shutter.

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  48. What a wonderful variety all getting along well together. I always love seeing Goldie girl, too! Enjoy your week my friend!

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  49. What a lovely place to walk - so many ducks and geese on the water.

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  50. What a great place, indeed, Eileen!! And, yes, I'd like to see a redhead duck, too!! Looks chilly, but fun! Thanks as always for sharing the beauty -- and the fun! Have a great week!!

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  51. love the pics thank you for sharing.

    I think *HOPE* I got my picture issue fixed thank you for letting me know

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  52. Hi Eileen, In spite of trying hard, I have only spotted a mere two ducks here in Florida since I have lived here. I do not live close to larger lakes so I miss seeing ducks a lot. Have a wonderful day tomorrow! Love those Ring-necked Ducks and Red-heads!

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  53. Looks like a lovely place for a walk - and to take photos!

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  54. Lovely captures along the walk! I wish I could join in for real. :)

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  55. Looks chilly, but great photos! Have a wonderful week!

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  56. Great walking avenues with tall trees on either side. Lovely bird viewings too ! Looks like a fabulous week end !

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  57. Dearest Eileen;
    Oh, all in the pictures looks cold (your husband, your sweet girl and birds). But lovely to enjoy every season, isn't it(^_^)v Always wish to Join your walk, my dear friend in America.

    Lots of Love and hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*

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  58. Dearest Eileen;
    Oh, You showed us varieties of characters of these sparrows with your gorgeous pictures♡♡♡
    Beauty, Shyness, Pride; sweet to see the differences, isn't it(^_^)v
    Thank you very much for sharing with these sweet pictures with us.

    Sending you lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my dear friend in America, xoxo Miyako*

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  59. Looks like it would be a really nice place but it does look like it was colder than jacket your husby had on and along the water, with wind...burr ;)

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  60. The ducks are great -- boy, that weather would encourage a walker to keep up a brisk pace wouldn't it? What a great idea closing the road to vehicles on wkends! Fabulous.

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