Saturday, January 21, 2023

Saturday's Critters # 475

Welcome to Saturday's Critters!

Hello and Happy Saturday!

 If you love all God's creatures like I do and also like to blog about them and take critter photos this is where you can share your critter post. Link up your post and share your critters, join in with my critter party ! You can share any kind of critters the real ones, pretend ones, statues and paintings, a new or old post!

1. Early January we had a few nice weather days, mild temperatures but not always sunny. On this day hubby and took a walk at the Loch Raven Reservoir, usually you can always find some winter ducks on the lake between the two dams. 



2. The male Hooded Merganser, it is one of my favorite ducks. The males have a black head with a white patch that changes sizes when the crest is raised. They have a white breast with chestnut flanks. 






3. The Canada Geese had the highest count, the geese population seems to doing very well.





4. The Ring-necked Ducks have dark heads and backs with gray sides. Adult males have a prominent white ring on their bill. The females are brown and have a white patch near the bill. 






5. I could only find a few Bufflehead ducks mixed in with the other duck species and a large count of Canada Geese.





6. More Canada Geese, some Ring-necked Ducks and a few American Wigeons.






7. Below are a few Canada Geese, two Ring-necked Ducks and 4 American Wigeons. the male American Wigeon has a cream color forecrown.







8. There have been years that the Eurasian Wigeon would be seen hanging out with the ducks on this reservoir, I tried zooming in on various groups but I did not see any other duck species. 






9. Canada Goose, Ring-billed Gull with two male Hooded Mergansers.





10. The Ring-billed Gulls are a common sight to see at this reservoir, they can also be found on parking lots.





11. Male and female Mallards.






12. The Hooded Merganser couple, the handsome male with the female.  The female is a gray-brown with cinnamon tone on the head. 






13. More male and female Mallards hanging out near the shore, people come to feed the ducks in this spot. So the ducks seem to be more tame around people. 





Bonus image: our grandson Mason will be 1 year old on the 24th..  Happy Birthday to Mason.





Thank you for sharing your critters and post!

Thanks to all my visitors and for your past and present comments. Stop back to see any replies to your comments. I appreciate everyone who loves and respects wildlife. Thank you for linking up a critter post.



Here is my linky:


I am also linking up to Anni's blog party found here I'd Rather B Birding   Anni always has some beautiful birds to be seen on her blog, check it out! Also, I am also linking up to Heidrun's Mosaic Monday  I hope you can stop by and visit Heidrun and check out the Mosaic Monday post. 

118 comments:

  1. Enjoyed seeing all these ducks. The resizing white patch on the Merganser looks nice. Mason is adorable. Happy Birthday in advance!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for the comment, I appreciate your link this week.
      Take care, have a great weekend.

      Delete
  2. That's a great series of waterfowl photos, especially the one lonely Hooded Merganser making a wake behind him. It's good of you to have this weekly blog event!

    best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you Mae! The Hooded Merganser is a beautiful duck.
      Take care, have a great weekend.

      Delete
  3. Well Eileen you certainly saw a lot of lovely ducks and it does look like a lovely day for a walk and camera. Thanks for hosting. and have a wonderful weekend and week ahead.

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    1. Hello Margaret,
      Thank you for the visit and comment.
      Take care, have a great weekend.

      Delete
  4. Hallo and thanks for sharing this ducks galore. The Buffleheads are particularly noticea.
    Very cute.
    Happy birthday to your handsome grandson.
    All the best!

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    1. Thank you Luisella!
      Take care, have a great weekend.

      Delete
  5. Hello Eileen :=) What a lovely day out at the Loch Raven Reservoir with plenty of ducks, geese, and gulls. to photograph. The beautiful male Hooded Merganser is one of my favourite ducks also. Its feather pattern and colours are like a glorious painting.
    It's counterpart is also a delightful duck, not as showy, but it's rust coloured head is attractive.Lovely photo of Mason, Happy Birthday on the 24th.

    Thank you for your comments whilst I have been away, they are much appreciated, and as always thank you for hosting.
    Enjoy your weekend Eileen
    All the best.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Hello Sonjia,
      The Hooded Merganser is one of my favorite ducks.
      Thank you for the visit and comment.
      Take care, have a great weekend.

      Delete
  6. Hi Eileen,
    Superb series of photos and collages of the various ducks and geese.
    I enjoyed it.
    Your grandson is a cutie.
    Would you mind posting my link?
    I wish you a very nice weekend.
    Greetings Irma

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    1. Thank you Irma! I appreciate the link and comment.
      Take care, have a great weekend.

      Delete
  7. Hello Eileen,
    I love to see your beautiful photos of the Mallards. They live near by here too. Lovely photo of your grandson!
    Have a great weekend!

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    1. Thank you Marit! The Mallards seem to be seen all around the world.
      Take care, have a great weekend.

      Delete
  8. Eileen, que lindas fotos desses patos e que bom ,nem a falta de sol, impediu o passeio e belos cliques!

    Parabéns pelo MASON que já fará seu 1º aninho! Felicidades! Como crescem rápido!
    beijos, tudo de bom,chica

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Chica!
      Take care, have a great weekend.

      Delete
  9. Hello, Hope your doing fine. Loved the post, Beautiful birds pics.
    Loved to Mason , Happy Birthday Greetings in advance:)

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thank you for the visit and comment.
      Take care, have a great weekend.

      Delete
  10. Happy birthday, Mason! May he have a great celebration.
    Excellent duck series of photos, and the weather seemed pleasant to capture these beauties. Have a wonderful weekend!

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    1. Thank you Jeevan! The weather could have been a little nicer for photos.
      Take care, have a great weekend.

      Delete
  11. Lovely photos of the magnificent ducks, Eileen. Happy Birthday to Mason! Have a great new week, and thanks for hosting.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thank you Nick!
      Take care, have a great weekend.

      Delete
  12. ...I started to count your critters, but quickly gave up! Happy Birthday Mason.

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    1. Thank you Tom! I stopped counting too!
      Take care, have a great weekend.

      Delete
  13. Wonderful duck series of photos. Mason is growing fast and he's a cutie. Have a great weekend and thanks for hosting.

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    1. Thank you Bill! Mason's first year seem to fly by.
      Take care, have a great weekend.

      Delete
  14. Mason is adorable! Happy Birthday.
    I quite like the mergansers, too! We've no ducks or geese, living in a frozen wetland!

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    1. Thank you Jenn! Our temps have been a little milder this winter, which is good for me.
      Take care, have a great weekend.

      Delete
  15. To be honest, what critter can hold a candle to the bright-eyed little boy having a birthday! Happy Birthday, Mason!

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    1. Thank you Maria! Mason is a sweet happy boy.
      Take care, have a great weekend.

      Delete
  16. So many different kinds of ducks...they are beautiful! Happy Birthday, Mason :-))

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    1. Thank you Angie!
      Take care, have a great weekend.

      Delete
  17. What a wealth of waterfowl! Love those mergansers. Happy Birthday, Mason!

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    1. Thank you Ken! It is a good spot in the winter months to see the waterfowl.
      Take care, have a great weekend.

      Delete
  18. What a lovely series of Canadian geese in the lake. They look like starry eyes in a sea 🌊

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thank you for the visit and comment. Take care, have a great new week.

      Delete
  19. Hi Eileen. Your North American ducks are very striking in their male appearance. Both the Hooded Merganser and the Buffleheads look at their very best at this time of year. What I would give to see all those Ring-billed Gulls too! Mason is just a little Sweetie isn't he? Enjoy your weekend and thanks for the link.

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    1. Thank you Phil! The winter here is always a great time to see various duck species.
      Take care, have a great weekend.

      Delete
  20. Mergansers are my favorite duck and that male hooded fellow is a stunner. What a wonderful sighting -- I don't see them often. Happy weekend.

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    1. Thanks Jeanie! The Hooded Mergansers are one of my favorite ducks. Have a happy weekend.

      Delete
  21. Ducks and Geese - always fun to see!
    Happy Birthday Mason!

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    1. Thank you Lea! I do enjoy seeing all the birds.
      Take care, have a great weekend.

      Delete
  22. The Mergansers are such odd looking ducks and I love seeing them. You really saw a lot of ducks and geese! Fun to try to get photos of them all. Happy birthday Mason! (we could have a party together!) Happy weekend, Diane

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    1. Thank you Diane! I wish the weather was better for photos, I did enjoy seeing the Mergansers and all the ducks. Have a great weekend.

      Delete
  23. Happy Birthday Mason, I can't believe it has already been a year. wow... now they are chasing two babies around the house. that is a LOT of ducks and geese to all be in one place.. I like the hooder guys because I have never seen one in real life

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    1. Thank you Sandra! Mason has that little boy look now, he is adorable. The Hooded Mergansers are a favorite of mine.
      Take care, have a great weekend.

      Delete
  24. Replies
    1. Thank you William!
      Take care, have a great weekend.

      Delete
  25. Such a variety of ducks in one place. I would love to see the Hooded Mergansers. Happy Birthday to Mason.

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    1. Thank you RedPat! It is a good spot to see a variety of ducks. Have a great weekend.

      Delete
  26. It looks too cold to be out, even for ducks! 😊

    Sweet grandbaby!

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    1. Hello Sandi,
      Thanks for visiting and for the comment. Have a great weekend.

      Delete
  27. This was a good course in learning to identify ducks.

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    1. Thank you Red! I am learning to id the ducks, some are pretty easy to id. Have a great weekend.

      Delete
  28. Hari Om
    Oh I do like waterfowl and you certainly saw quite the numbers here! YAM xx

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    1. Thank you YAM, I appreciate your comment and link today. Have a happy weekend.

      Delete
  29. Hi Eileen, First things first … Happy Birthday to Mason! Congrats on your grandson, they just don’t get any cuter than Mason! In today’s Saturday’s Critters I really enjoyed all the photos of the ducks. You mentioned the male Hooded Merganser is one of your favorites and I can sure understand that. I’m pretty sure I’ve seen them along my waterfront walk, but now I will know exactly what to look for and get some pictures for the blog. I see you have plenty of Mallards and they are here in big numbers. Well, I am not quite ready with a new post to link up this week, but just wanted to stop by and say Hello anyway. I’m on my way now to visit some of the linked-up critter posts. 😊 Thank you for hosting and sharing Saturday’s Critters. A happy week ahead to you and your hubby! John

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thank you for dropping by and for the comment John! Mason is a sweetie! Yes, the Hooded Merganser is beautiful and a favorite. I have so many favorites, it really hard choosing just one favorite. Maybe I should say it is a favorite at the time of the sighting. Take care, enjoy your weekend.

      Delete
  30. These are such great duck photos...as well as triggering your memories from your walk! As everyone else says, Happy Birthday to your precious grandson!

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    1. Thank you Barbara! The blog posts are great ways to relive the sightings and happy times. Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

      Delete
  31. So nice to see all the ducks - you got some great shots.
    Wow a year old already!!! Happy Birthday to Mason.

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    1. Thank you Karen! Mason's first year just flew by. Have a great weekend!

      Delete
  32. You are our ambassador to the waterfowl, Eileen

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  33. awesome captures of all the different and pretty ducks. i saw some mergansers today while i was out taking pictures, i really enjoy seeing them!! you are brave to share a picture of mason, he always shines brighter than even the ducks!!

    enjoy your weekend...many thanks for hosting!!

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    1. Thanks Debbie! Mason is a shining star. Have a wonderful weekend.

      Delete
  34. Excellent photos Eileen... I enjoyed looking at them, guided by your comments...
    A great party for Mason! Best wishes to him, parents and to you.
    Good weekend.
    ~~~~~~~

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    1. Thank you for the comment and visit. Have a happy weekend.

      Delete
  35. Happy Birthday, Mason ~ so adorable ~ Wonderful series of photos of the ducks ~ love all of them ~ Xo


    Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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    1. Thank you Carol! I appreciate your comment and link! Have a happy weekend.

      Delete
  36. Happy Birthday to Mason, what a cute little guy he is.
    I love all your watefowl. The geese are flourishing here, all year round. They like to cross roads at rush hour assisted by unhomed people waving their arms. Nobody minds.
    Thank you for hosting!!

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    1. Thank you Alan! I do not see the geese on the road here, they have plenty of fields, ponds and our lake to keep them happy. Have a great weekend.

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  37. Replies
    1. Thank you Sondra! I hope all is well, take care and enjoy your weekend.

      Delete
  38. Hello Eileen
    Happy Saturday and weekend wishes to you.
    A lovely selection here, I enjoyed seeing all of your photographs.

    Gosh, it doesn't seem possible that Mason is almost 1yr.
    A sweet photograph you've shared
    Many happy birthday wishes for him.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Hello Jan, thank you for the visit and comment.
      Take care, have a great new week.

      Delete
  39. Love the birds, especially the hooded mergansers. However Mason wins the day! Cutie!

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    1. Thank you Marie!
      Take care, have a great new week.

      Delete
  40. Un precioso reportaje como siempre. Muchas felicidades para tu nieto. Besos.

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    1. Thank you Teresa!
      Take care, have a great new week.

      Delete
  41. There is something so wonderful in the serenity of birds, going quietly about their business. I so enjoy yours.
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. Thank you Amalia!
      Take care, have a great new week.

      Delete
  42. The ducks make a great collage! Love the gulls photo. Best wishes to the one-year old!

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    1. Thank you Linda!
      Take care, have a great new week.

      Delete
  43. Loved the image of birthday boy Mason!!
    My favorite duck is the hooded merganser! Lovely images.
    Enjoy your week ahead and thank you for linking in at IRBB.

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    1. Thank you Anni!
      Take care, have a great new week.

      Delete
  44. I enjoyed the fabulous series of photos and collages of the various ducks and geese.
    Hugs and blessings, Eileen.

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    1. Thank you Veronica!
      Take care, have a great new week.

      Delete
  45. It’s so relaxing and peaceful to watch at waterfowls. Different species are getting along well there. Happy birthday to Mason. How adorable he is!

    Yoko

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    1. Thanks so much Yoko, I appreciate the comment and your visit. Take care, have a wonderful week!

      Delete
  46. Great encounter with waterfowl, Eileen. Hooded Merganser is hard to beat!

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    1. Thanks David! I did enjoy my encounter with the ducks. Have a great day and happy new week!

      Delete
  47. Hello Eileen! What a lovely wintry view you're sharing for us and they are enjoying it too! Mason is just adorable and wow he's going to be one already! Time flies enjoy every moment as it moves way too quickly. I don't have and tiny grandchildren anymore and if only.... but it seems they are all through with having more babies. Oh well enjoying each and every one! Take care.

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    1. Thank you Karen! Our grandsons are growing so quickly, amazing how time flies. Take care, have a great week ahead.

      Delete
  48. Mason is adorable Eileen, a sweet little guy for sure. You certainly saw a great collection of water birds. Thanks for sharing them and have a great week.

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    1. Thank you Denise! Take care, have a wonderful week!

      Delete
  49. Dearest Eileen; I was so amazed to see "male Hooded Merganser". Its color with black and white and the way its sitting on the stone p;-) Hope you are having wonderful and sweet year 2023 with your lovely grandson ♡♡♡

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    1. Thank you Miyako! I wish you all the best in 2023! Take care, have a wonderful week!

      Delete
  50. beautiful series of photos.... lovely Ring-necked Ducks ...
    Happy Monday

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    1. Thank you Tanza! All the ducks are lovely. Have a great new week!

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  51. I just hiked to a waterfall today. :) Life is better with Costa Rica in it!

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    1. Thank you Sharon! Your hike sounds wonderful. Have a happy day and great week ahead.

      Delete
  52. Happy First Birthday to Mason, tomorrow! What a cutie. It's fun to see those Mergansers!

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    1. Thank you Ellen! Take care, have a wonderful day!

      Delete
  53. So lovely to have nice weather for a walk. Far too hot here at the moment, but we sometimes go after dinner for a short walk along the Estuary and hope for a breeze. Enjoy your week.

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    1. Thank you Jill! It feels good to get out and enjoy the outdoors. Take care, have a wonderful week!

      Delete
  54. A very Happy Birthday to Mason :). I really like the Ring-necked Ducks. I managed to see a few last year in the winter, but none this year yet.

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    1. Thank you Adam! The Ring-necked Ducks are pretty. Have a great day and happy week ahead.

      Delete
  55. Both Canadian geese and Ring-necked Ducks look so beautiful...
    great captures

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    1. Thanks so much for the comment! Have a great day and week ahead.

      Delete
  56. Happy, happy Birthday sweet Mason ... sending kisses for you lovely child.

    Thank you being part of MOSAIC MONDAY.
    Hugs by Heidrun

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    1. Thank you Heidrun! Enjoy your day and the weekend ahead.

      Delete
  57. Buenas fotos de los patos.Me encanta ese agua corrienro.
    Seguro que pasastéis un gran día de cumpleaños de Mason. Está precioso Eileen un beso grande para él 😘〰💗.
    Un abrazo.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Laura, for the visit and comment. Take care, have a wonderful weekend.

      Delete
  58. Oh this last image took myv heart away ❤️ what an adorable baby, may God bless him always with all the goodness in life amen!

    Dear what a delight to take such wonderful walk. Your area seems full of beautiful birds and water birds as well.
    Thank you so much for sharing such a treat with us. Thoroughly enjoyed the variety amazing water birds. Really well taken pictures wow!
    Oh happy birthday to cute little boy!

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    1. Thank you Baili! I appreciate your comment and visit. Take care, have a great weekend!

      Delete
  59. Que lindo o seu netinho! Muitos parabéns, para ele, embora já um pouco atrasados... e muita saúde e felicidades para todos vós!
    Adorei as imagens do lago, a pulsar de vida, conseguindo reunir um vasto número de aves!
    E muitos parabéns, Eileen, pelas suas deslumbrantes imagens de segunda feira, que são sempre admiráveis!!!
    Beijinhos! Tudo de bom! Continuação de dias felizes!
    Ana

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    1. Thank you Ana! I appreciate your visits and comments. Take care, have a great weekend!

      Delete

Hello, thank you for visiting my blog. I always appreciate your comments.

BTW, Anonymous comments unless a name is included will not be published. Also, comments with links will be deleted.

Have a happy day, Eileen

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