tags: Greater Scaup, Aythya marila, birds, nature, Image of the Day
[Mystery bird] Greater Scaup, Aythya marila, photographed in Oakland, California. [I will identify this bird for you tomorrow]
Image: Joseph Kennedy, 22 December 2007 [larger view].
Nikon D200, Kowa 883 telescope TSN-PZ camera eyepiece 1/350s f/8.0 at 1000.0mm iso400.
Rick Wright, Managing Director of WINGS Birding Tours Worldwide, writes:
Push me into a corner and I guess I'd call this a Greater Scaup. The bill is very broad, and the black, though it doesn't reach the edge of the bill, does "bleed" outwards from the nail. The head is nowhere skinny, starting beefy at the crown and expanding regularly to become fat at the neck. The vermiculations of the back are fine. But this is a good example of how much easier birds are in the field than in photos!
From that angle, I'll say greater scaup.
Yeah, I'd guess greater scaup as well. But I'd feel obligated to watch the bird for a while and try to second-guess myself.
Tricky angle, but I say greater scaup, too. Also I say it was taken on the same day as yesterday's - but that's a guess.
Ha, Ridger, you're obviously only an amateur at this. It's clear from the lighting that both photos were taken on the 22nd December.
These are great photos, though, aren't they?
Morning or afternoon, Bob?
And yes they are.
This one? Early afternoon - just before 2pm. The other one was 15 seconds earlier.
Lesser Scaup