ON THE WATER WITH FINE FEATHERED FRIENDS

Hangin’ With The Buffleheads

And some of their neighbors

Photo by the author of Buffleheads in flight.

It’s that unsavory time when winter dovetails into some semblance of spring. The snow is gone (almost), and cold rains fall.

In this photo by the author weeks earlier, the mink strutted at the water’s edge.

The mink will be much more difficult to spot with the white background gone.

“I’m outta here,” indicates the mink in this photo by the author. Or maybe the move was designed to show off his tail.

The North American Human Snowbird continues to be ensconced in the heat of southern states. But there are beings more accurately termed “snowbirds” since they follow the snow, unafraid of the cold.

A few of the geese never leave. They’ve claimed our lake as their own. This time of year, they are nesting.

In this photo by the author, Momma goose is thinking, “This rain sucks!”

Poppa stands guard, surprisingly unperturbed by the author’s proximity for this and the next shot.

“Not happy,” thought the author as he took this picture.

Buffleheads are small diving ducks who pass through the southern Adirondacks on their way to and from much farther north. We are treated to their visits twice each year.

In the right light, iridescent colors appear in this photo by the author.

While the male is more striking, the mottled gray of the female is also worth a good look. Photo by the author.

Are they frolicking for fun? Photo by the author.

More likely it’s mating season, and one male is chasing another away. Photo by the author.

Oops! The author got a bit too close for this photo and the skittish Buffleheads are leaving.

Three males on the wing in this photo by the author.

Their distinctive furious flapping is unmistakable. They do their best to mimic the rate of the hummingbirds.

A pair also on their way. Photo by the author.

The male has been upstaged, providing a nice look at the female. Photo by the author.

And they’re gone. Photo by the author.

With the entertainment complete, it was time to head home through the wind-driven rain. No matter. The reward for donning rain gear and braving the cold is being the only human enjoying the show.

And happily, the photo session continued with the first loon of the season.

Loon photo by the author.

All is right with the world.