Harlequin ducks with their distinctive facial markings and colors are fairly uncommon and have a cult like following among birders and photographers. These ducks like swift currents near rocky shores where they can dive for food.
Yesterday at the Barnegat Light jetty, the current was swift. Two members of the Bergen County Audubon Society in New Jersey pointed me to a place on the jetty where they had seen a Harlequin duck. Following their advice I was able to photograph a Harlequin from much closer than in previous years.
There were several other Harlequins in the area, but out of my camera range. In previous years, these ducks don’t start appearing until mid to late December, so they are early this year.
dianaed2013 said:
How great to get this duck in detail – liked the photos and thank you for visiting my blog
LikeLiked by 1 person
neihtn2012 said:
I was lucky to get some help from the Audubon members! 🙂 Thank you Diana, and you have a great blog that I enjoy visiting!
LikeLike
Helen C said:
What a treat! Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
neihtn2012 said:
You are welcome, Helen!
LikeLike
de Wets Wild said:
What a beautifully patterned duck, Hien! Thanks for the introduction!
LikeLiked by 1 person
neihtn2012 said:
Thank you for your kind comment! Glad you like these photos.
LikeLiked by 1 person
DG MARYOGA said:
So much beauty Hien!Most photogenic duck species,fabulous the colours and the symmetrical patterns on his plumage!
LikeLiked by 1 person
neihtn2012 said:
You are right Doda. Harlequin are very photogenic. I can only think of the Mandarin ducks with the same qualities. I will post some photos of Mandarins taken a couple years back.
LikeLiked by 1 person
DG MARYOGA said:
I love Mandarin ducks,they are fabulous water birds!
LikeLiked by 1 person
kiaman2012/Greg said:
Excellent capture! Beautiful HARLEQUIN DUCK.
LikeLiked by 1 person
neihtn2012 said:
Thank you Greg!
LikeLike
Tiny said:
Beautiful bird, and great shots from every angle!
LikeLiked by 1 person
neihtn2012 said:
Tiny, do you see these ducks where you are?
LikeLike
Amy said:
Beautiful capture! You were very close to the bird. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
neihtn2012 said:
Yes Amy, I was probably no more than 20 ft away. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Victor Rakmil said:
Great post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
neihtn2012 said:
Thank you Victor!
LikeLiked by 1 person