[obol] strange ducks

[Ann Chamberlain]

went back for a better look.  my first impression this morning was 
ring-necked ducks, but they aren't quite right for female ring-necks, 
based on all those i have seen over the years.  east vs. west?.  
definitely not scaup, but lighter underneath than most ring-necks i have 
seen.  i haven't seen them diving yet, just puddling around.  sort of an 
eye-ring on the one with the darker head and lighter underpinnings but 
not distinct.

the two are on a tiny pond along n. myrtle rd. about 11 miles out.

of course, having an old squaw show up on my farm pond in nj, 60+ miles 
from the ocean, anything is possible!  had a cormorant on that pond too!

i guess i have to settle for ring-necks, but i am not 100% sure that's 
what they are.  i have seen tufted ducks back east, but that was a long 
time ago.   used to have huge rafts of lesser and greater scaup, 
ring-necks, canvasbacks, widgeons, gadwall,  black ducks, and thousands 
of brant off my beach on an inlet in nj, so i have seen a lot of these 
ducks.  just don't expect to see diving ducks on a little pond in the 
woods in oregon!

anyhow, these two are cute and not very shy, whatever they are.

ann in myrtle creek

> There's a lot of bluish-gray billed diving Ducks.   A possibility 
> would be a female Scaup or Ring-necked Duck (if a non-puddle Duck).
>
> Dennis