Ogeechee Audubon is fortunate to have a member who is a very fine photographer of birds and butterflies and Nature. Here is a sample of his fine work, with new November photos. Enjoy! Also, the photos were taken at various local sites.
NOTE: All photographs on this page are by Fitz Clark.
|
|
Hi all- thought I would share with you some additional digital images I have acquired here on Skidaway Island, Savannah, Chatham Co, Ga. of this female, Northern Shoveler duck, 26 Oct-1 November. The species, on our inner Georgia barrier island, is listed as an "Irregular" (seen only occasionally) .It currently is plentiful at the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, some 15-20 miles inland, Jasper County, S.C. ( old rice fields).
This duck has been hanging out with five "Pied-billed Grebes" in what I would describe as a "commensal association", with the female Shoveler being the " beater" and the Grebes being the "Attendants", glomming onto to whatever is being flushed from the aquatic vegetation. The six have been hanging out between lagoon # 13 ( tangent to the Marshwood driving range ) and lagoon # 15 ( long lagoon from across from the Dog Park to the driving Range.( both brackish lagoons)
Check out photo # 8, which I caught as she turned sideways to scratch under her chin. You will observe a comblike edge of the bill which serves as a filtration system, straining the aquatic vegetation for plankton; snails, clams, aquatic insects, etc. The length of this large "quacker" is longer than the head, a pretty neat bill, which is grayish on top, tinged with orange on cutting edge and orange below.
Regards,
Fitz
Email fitzclarke@bellsouth.net
|
 |
| Female Northern Shoveler |
|
|
 |
| Female Northern Shoveler |
|
|
 |
| Female Northern Shoveler |
|
|
 |
| Female Northern Shoveler |
|
|
|