With winter finally making it our way so have the Northern Shovelers who overwinter on the ponds and lakes in our area. This Female Northern Shoveler was busy foraging for food on Clear Creek on a chilly December morning.
With winter finally making it our way so have the Northern Shovelers who overwinter on the ponds and lakes in our area. This Female Northern Shoveler was busy foraging for food on Clear Creek on a chilly December morning.
nature has no boss 
Northern Shovelers overwinter at Wheeler Wildlife Refuge in North Alabama. Used to see them all the time nestled in with sandhill cranes, Canada geese and various ducks. They’re so pretty.
LikeLike
Hi Debbi, sounds like quite the crew with all those birds together. The males can be quite colorful as the breading season approaches. We really enjoy having them in the winter here and they can get pretty numerous and gather in large numbers. Hope your day is going well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
She’s a beaut Mike! Wonderful photo.
LikeLike
Thanks Belinda, we really enjoy having the shovelers here in winter. It’s really fun when the all forage together in a large circle string up food.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the shoveler season, they’re here all winter in northern California too. Those spatulate bills are so immense — you captured hers well, Mike. Lovely photo.
LikeLike
Thanks Jet, it’s fun to have them here in the winter as well. They can gather in quite late groups on one of the local ponds and watching them all forage together is quite a sight. Hope your doing well and enjoyed your holidays. Wishing you a very happy 2017.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve never seen one of these guys before,leading me to think they like it in warmer parts?
LikeLike
Hi, these guys migrate from up North and spend winter here and many other places in the US. They have a fairly extensive range but from the map I have looks like they might not spend summer on the west coast of vancouver island.
LikeLike
ok,will confirm with my birding friend.
thanks Mike!
LikeLike
this is what my friend said yesterday “I saw a single shoveler at the airport last week.” So looks like they are here after all! I should pay attention more!
LikeLike
Well, a single bird is easy to miss and perhaps not representative. Glad you have them around you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
She looks very intent, great capture!
LikeLike
Hi Eliza, she was very intently feeding away.
LikeLiked by 1 person