'Bout Freakin Time Mr. Shoveler!

 Lady common mergansers seem shyer. We typically see them pretty far out in Lost Lagoon or out in English bay. Finally using some bread and corn bribes we had a lovely look at several males and females in the Lagoon. I like their thin bills with the tooth-like serrations for aquatic prey. Geordie and I think that the females look kind of like punk rockers with their neat mohawk at the back.

 This is the time of year where everythings mind turns to sex. The male goldeneyes like the fellow below were chasing the ladies and displaying. I find this ones bright staring eye very striking. Apparently the girls think it sexy when the boys tilt there head right back.

 Finally after years of rumour, hearsay, and fake sightings a la Sasquatch and the Loch Ness Monster I finally get to see the fabled Northern Shoveler. Aren't their noses cute!!! Apparently they are not just urban legend!  This is a male and there is a female right behind him. It took tons of patience to get the photos of them as they were all sleeping with their lovely beaks all tucked in. They were impervious to corn and bread bribery and oblivious to the ruckus the other birds kicked up while we fed them. Preserverence paid off however and we got to check them out. Squee!