Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Long-tailed Duck

The Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) is a duck of the Arctic Tundra.  They are not a common migrant to the West Virginia mountains; but it does seem appropriate this "Spring".  They normally spend the winter on shallow ocean waters.  I saw them regularly, when I lived on Tangier Sound.  I was fortunate to have the opportunity to get some photos of this species yesterday evening at Davis, in Tucker County, WV.

Darkness was quickly approaching and I just happened to have my worst lens for the conditions attached.  That is usually the case isn't it?  The frigid temperatures did not help much and was slowing down an already slow setup.   I took about 25 shots, this is the only one that I had time to work on this morning, but I wanted to post something.
It would have been nice if one of the stunning males would have been present.  I did not have time to check out the much larger sewer treatment pond downstream from this location.  Hopefully; I will be able to check it out for others today.
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2 comments:

  1. AngieMarch 31, 2011 at 9:28 AM

    I've never seen a long tailed duck before. Isn't that frustrating when you have the opportunity to capture a great shot but everything works against it? Maybe you'll get lucky and get to photograph one of the males if they stick around. Good luck!

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  2. UnknownMarch 31, 2011 at 3:49 PM

    Angie, the little pond froze over that night and this Long-tailed Duck moved down to the sewage treatment pond; all by itself..No males to be found.

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