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| Northern Shoveler Viera Wetlands |
The most eye catching feature of a Northern Shoveler tends to be its oversized bill. I came across this preening male at the Viera Wetlands this past weekend. As the Shoveler preened I was able to get a look of its bill from every angle.
The Northern Shoveler has an elongated bill, with the shape being similar to that of a Spoonbill only on a much smaller scale. Their bill also has comb-like protrusions on its edges which help strain the water from the food when the Shoveler is foraging.
A female Blue-winged Teal arrived and decided her feathers needed some maintenance as well.
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| Female Blue-winged Teal Viera Wetlands |
Next, the male Blue-winged Teal came by, but he claimed he was clean enough.
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| Male Blue-winged Teal Viera Wetlands |
Lovely Tammy. I don't think I've ever seen the Shoveler shovel from so many angles, very cool.
ReplyDeleteThanks Laurence! He was quite kind to cooperate for me:)
DeleteVery nice Tammy!
ReplyDeleteThanks Robert!
Deleteamazing! I love the blue winged teal! I haven't seen a shovler as of yet~ but hope to soon :-) Great post!
ReplyDeleteThanks Rachelle! I hope you catch up with one soon!!
Deletethese are beautiful! i especially like the water drop one! nice!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments!
DeleteVery nice shots of these ducks..... well done Tammy
ReplyDeleteGreetings, Joop
Thanks so much Joop!
DeleteI just love the Shoveler! Those bills are just too cool! I wish we had them around here. Gorgeous shots, Tammy! Nicely done!
ReplyDeleteThanks Brian! I like their bills too:)
DeleteThe Shoveler is a wonder of this world, and, you have a beautiful hand to take such delighted birds. And the Blue-winged Teal...................well.
ReplyDeleteShoveler baleen....I love it!
ReplyDeleteGreat shots! I love how you can see the underside of the shoveler bill! I've never seen that view before. And those comb-like protrusions are neat!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful ducks wonderfully captured. The light is perfect.
ReplyDeleteWow, the shoveler really gave you a show :)
ReplyDeleteBuenos disparos y que posturas más dificiles adoctaron en algunos de ellos.
ReplyDeleteSaludos.
Gorgeous series of shots! The shovelers never let me get so close, and I've only seen a couple Blue-winged Teals ever.
ReplyDeleteHi Tammy!
ReplyDeletegreat serie, i realy like the "Northern Shoveler" great bird.
Have a nice day
/Ingemar
Tammy, here in Utah people call Northern Shovelers "Spoonies" and I can't get used to that because to me Roseate Spoonbills are Spoonies!Lovely images.
ReplyDeleteTammy.Thought it was time I looked at your camera skills !! Like me you like the shoveler.. your bird hasn't quite got his full breeding plumage.A beautiful series of images of the preening shoveler and the Blue Winged Teal is a bonny bird. I will make a point of visiting your blog more often....Take care.
ReplyDeleteHola Tammy buenas tomas de estas anatidas.Un abrazo
ReplyDeleteTammy why is it then a dirty duck??? I´m looking very clean... :-)... Great images... Saludos..
ReplyDeleteGreat shots of the beautiful ducks.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Beautiful images. The sharpness is outstanding. I love the water drops from the duck's bill.
ReplyDeleteWOW Tammy! Que delicia de fotos, de colores y de luz.
ReplyDeleteSaludos!!