It seems like every winter we get a short but welcome visit from a pair of Bald Eagles on the stretch of Platte River we frequent on a regular basis. This year was no exception as this one showed up on a snowy January morning. According to reports their mate was spotted just up river.
South Platte River in Denver, CO.
Last weekend was cold and very grey but seeing this American Widgeon hanging out on a rock in Clear Creek brought a little color to the day. Even though I gave these guys a little grief for swiping food from the redheads the other day they sure are something to look at.
Continuing with what appears to have turned into duck week here on the blog I present the Buffleheads. They make a fine couple don’t they.
They usually seem to keep to the middle of the lakes around here in winter but when it gets cold and the lakes freeze over they move the the nearby creeks where we get a closer look at these amazing little ducks.
From allaboutbird..https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Bufflehead/id
“Buffleheads are a buoyant, large-headed duck that abruptly vanishes and resurfaces as it feeds, the tiny Bufflehead spends winters bobbing in bays, estuaries, reservoirs, and lakes. Males are striking black-and white from a distance. A closer look at the head shows glossy green and purple setting off the striking white patch. Females are a subdued gray-brown with a neat white patch on the cheek. Bufflehead nest in old woodpecker holes, particularly those made by Northern Flickers, in the forests of northern North America.”
Each winter we await the arrival of the waterfowl which overwinter on the creeks in our vicinity. One of the duck species I always love to see on the creek is the diminutive Green Winged Teal which are the smallest dabbling ducks in North America. This male caught our eye the other day allowed us a few quick photographs before making his way downstream.
Oh it’s still winter, but even on an early January afternoon you can feel spring inching ever closer. The shadows cast from the trees are still long. There is still plenty of snow on the ground yet change is in the air on this January afternoon.
We went out yesterday morning and it was cold (-20C) cold. Yet the water was flowing over this small drop along the Platte River in South Denver.
A pinhole camera is a great tool for cold weather photography. No batteries, no mechanical parts and I can operate it with mittens on.
Zeroimage Pinhole Camera and Koadak Tmax 100iso film.
Even the icicles freeze up and stay quiet for the night.
The Juncos are all puffed out and tucked into the spruce tree.
While I prepare to take the shape of a human next to the fire.
Sitting quietly.
Waiting for the sun.
A Doves warm color.
The one and only Mandarin Duck is back and is hanging with the geese on a snowy January day. This guy sure adds quite the splash of color to an otherwise grey and snowy day.
Clear Creek in Denver, CO.
These guys always seem so alert and on patrol. Furthermore, they look pretty darn tough. That said, they are one of the more skittish ducks on the ponds and getting close is always a challenge.
nature has no boss 
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