Feb 6, 2012: Wolf's field notes

Just before stopping to scope the waterfowl on the south lake, a drake Common Merganser took flight.  Then I heard the call of another goose species and soon found 7 Greater White-fronted Geese.  Both are new species for the year.  While attempting to count the Mallards, two Bald Eagles (a juvenile & an adult) flew low over the water scattering the geese and ducks.  Then they lazily sailed off towards the Skunk River.  The juvenile returned later, settling in a tree below the bluff.  I was able to obtain a photograph.  The drake American Black Duck was still present, although sleeping on the ice.

Wolfgang Oesterreich
Ames



Juvenile Bald Eagle, 2/6/12 -- Wolf Oesterreich


Erv added:
By the way, the American Black Duck is one of many reasons why the American Ornithologists Union and most ornithologists capitalize English names of birds. Using the name with lower case letters, black duck, could refer to several species of ducks that are black, e.g. Scoters.

Erv Klaas