Thanks Mary. According to AllAboutBirds, it looks like the non-breeding ones will do as far South as the Western coast of Central America. Looks like breeding pairs as far South as Georgia just North of Florida. (https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Shoveler/maps-range)
Same Perry - when I first saw the male with his head skimming the water, I could only see his side feathers. I thought: "That's an oddly bright-coloured Mallard." Haha.
Great shots, Neil. 2024 was a good year for shovelers for me as well. Id never seen one either—or at least didn’t know if I had. A spectacular duck. I have taken them for mallards before as well.
Great post, Neil. The Shovelers also made me do a double take this year as there were a lot of them in my area. They are a perfect blend of form and function with those incredible shoveler bills. I hope you’ll continue to see them in Canada. Lovely poem.
Thanks Heidi and I like your description of form and function. Seeing them in action that is a perfect description. I'm hoping to check in with them again this weekend and see if they're still there
I wonder, how far south do they winter? Great capture!
Thanks Mary. According to AllAboutBirds, it looks like the non-breeding ones will do as far South as the Western coast of Central America. Looks like breeding pairs as far South as Georgia just North of Florida. (https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Shoveler/maps-range)
This is beautiful photography
Thank you Oscar and much appreciated.
Love the plumage on these ducks.
Same Perry - when I first saw the male with his head skimming the water, I could only see his side feathers. I thought: "That's an oddly bright-coloured Mallard." Haha.
Great photos! Excellent question!
Thanks Michael and much appreciated!
Great shots, Neil. 2024 was a good year for shovelers for me as well. Id never seen one either—or at least didn’t know if I had. A spectacular duck. I have taken them for mallards before as well.
Thanks James and agreed they are a spectacular looking duck. I'm hoping to check in again this weekend and see if this pair are still around.
Best of luck, Neil. I hope they are there for you to see.
Great post, Neil. The Shovelers also made me do a double take this year as there were a lot of them in my area. They are a perfect blend of form and function with those incredible shoveler bills. I hope you’ll continue to see them in Canada. Lovely poem.
Thanks Heidi and I like your description of form and function. Seeing them in action that is a perfect description. I'm hoping to check in with them again this weekend and see if they're still there
Their Latin name is also perfect: Spatula clypeata. I hope you get to see more of them!
Haha, most appropriate!
What a wonderful encounter!
Thanks Sydney!
Shovelers are such handsome birds. Great photos. I'm enjoying your Shijo poems too, it's an interesting form.
Thank you Juliet and much appreciated.