Wordless Wednesday: Northern Shoveler

 

Happy Veterans Day Reflection

 

Chinese Spot-billed Duck in Flight

Called Karugamo (カルガモ) in Japan

 

 

In the past, I've identified these birds as Anas poecilorhyncha but, have an update.

Scientists came to the conclusion this is a Anas zonorhyncha.

They differ from Anas poecilorhynca in a few ways.

There is no red spot, where the bill meets the duck's face and, they are larger birds.

Those other Anus birds don't have quite the dark blue or purple feathers, either.

We have enough things to worry about, without angering China.

So, from now on, I'll be calling these birds Anas zonorhyncha not, poecilorhyncha !

These photos were taken last night at 6:15PM along the Okukubi River.

The Pentax K1 was at ISO 3200 and, more images may be seen on Facebook. 

REFERENCES:

Avibase  

Bird Research News PDF

Handbook of the Birds of the World

Oriental Bird Images

Related Post:  Spot-billed Ducks in Flight

Wildlife Photos: Northern Shoveler Ducks

They Have Returned to Okinawa

 

 

Today, I went out for a walk with the Pentax 300mm lens.

It was a bit of a surprise when these birds flew over but, good practice for shooting.

Now that I know where they hangout, I'll go back again, someday.

And, see if I can shoot the whole herd.

There must have been 40 or 50 of them in the fields bordering Kin Town.

That's a good reason for me to get out of the office for a few days.

It's a long walk to the wetlands but, at least the wife can't find me when I'm there !

Wildlife Photo: Tadorna tadorna a Common Shelduck

This Common Shelduck was spotted in Kin Village, Okinawa, Japan.

Fairly large, for a duck, they look like some sort of goose, in flight.

They must be a common sight over in Ireland and the UK. We don't see many around here.

Check out the photos over at BIRDGUIDES.

Birdlife International can tell you all you'll ever need to know about the critters.

Visit my homepage for today's Feature Photo

What The Duck ? (Photo) and I Wanna Be A Millionaire, Too !

What the Duck ?  Oh, he's just an Anas clypeata, commonly known as a Northern Shoveler.  You can Google or Wikipedia them and go to any number of bird channels, if you want to learn more about our feathered friend birds.

There's another kind of anal bird called MILLIONAIRES that I'd like to provide a link to for you. 

I don't make this stuff up. Millionaires, in the USA, are drawing UNEMPLOYMENT !

Now, I work to pay my taxes in Japan and I pay my taxes to the USA, so I guess I'm giving my fair share.

I never considered myself to be a greedy person. 

But, what the duck. Now, I wanna be a millionaire, too !