I had a great opportunity recently to get a photo of both male and female Common Goldeneyes (seen above). These — like many of our waterfowl — are mainly seen in winter. There are actually two reasons for this, the first being that they are more likely seen in flocks and flotilla's in the non-breeding season as they break up to breed, and the second is that many of them breed well north of us here in Illinois. While doing some research for this post, I noticed that many of the ducks head north-west instead of just north to breed, ending up as far north & west as Alaska.
The Common Goldeneye winters from just north of us, all the way to the southern coastline of North America. It, unlike some others, does travel virtually directly north and breeds mostly in Canadian territory from east to west coasts.
According to the Cornell Bird Guide, Common Goldeneye females often lay eggs in the nests of other females - even of other species such as Barrow's Goldeneye. On top of that, Wood Duck and Common Mergansers also lay their eggs in the nests of Common Goldeneye! What a tangled web they weave. Apparently the ducklings will often end up in a 'creche' after being separated from their biological mother for one reason or another. They are largely able to fend for themselves from hatching so need little more than some protection. Continuing my recent hobby of sketching (actually, I believe this would count as drawing rather than sketching), above is a drawing of a male Common Goldeneye I drew recently. This one was a particular challenge for me as getting the shading detail in the head is not nearly as easy as I thought it should be!
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Common Goldeneye — 
Common Goldeneye 
Saturday, February 10, 2007
2007 Illinois Gull Frolic
Today was the annual Gull Frolic at North Point Marina. What's a Gull Frolic you ask? Well, if you weren't there yesterday and therefore don't already know, its a chance to see many of the Illinois winter gulls and have experts there to tell them apart from the ubiquitous Herring Gull. The Gull Frolic also includes presentations and a chance to meet many of the great birders we hear about but infrequently see.
This was the first year I had participated in the Gull Frolic although I had a good idea what it involved. I didn't count but I would estimate at least 100 people attended. Many braved the arctic temperatures {as I did} to stand outside all day to watch the gulls. The experts were very helpful and willing to point out subtle differences - and to admit that sometimes its virtually impossible to tell the difference between some of the plumage phases on the different species.
Most of the interesting gulls are 'white-winged gulls', such as the Iceland Gull, the Thayer's Gull and the Glaucous Gull (above). Below is one of the many Thayer's Gulls. The Thayer's is lighter overall than a Herring Gull and its dark eye and lightly marked primaries give it away in a crowd. This bird is a second winter bird.
Below is an adult Thayer's Gull. This shot shows the primary feather pattern that helps separate this from a Herring Gull. The Gull Frolic is the only time that chumming is allowed at North Point Marina - and special permission must be sought to allow this. It was amazing seeing so many of the rare and not-so-rare gulls up close and active.
Here is another of the exciting finds, a Great Black-backed Gull. Its not hard to see how this bird gets it name! This is a 3rd winter bird and looks almost like the full adult (4th year) except the bill still has a black band and the black wings & back are not quite as black as they will end up.
Since the usual way we see interesting gulls is the slightly different bird in a flock of Herring Gulls or Ring-billed Gulls, the opportunity to see so many different varieties close like this is awesome. I will definitely be putting the 2008 Gull Frolic on my calendar! In all we saw Iceland Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull and Ring-billed Gull.
Glaucous Gull (adult)This was the first year I had participated in the Gull Frolic although I had a good idea what it involved. I didn't count but I would estimate at least 100 people attended. Many braved the arctic temperatures {as I did} to stand outside all day to watch the gulls. The experts were very helpful and willing to point out subtle differences - and to admit that sometimes its virtually impossible to tell the difference between some of the plumage phases on the different species.
Most of the interesting gulls are 'white-winged gulls', such as the Iceland Gull, the Thayer's Gull and the Glaucous Gull (above). Below is one of the many Thayer's Gulls. The Thayer's is lighter overall than a Herring Gull and its dark eye and lightly marked primaries give it away in a crowd. This bird is a second winter bird.
Thayer's Gull (2nd winter)Below is an adult Thayer's Gull. This shot shows the primary feather pattern that helps separate this from a Herring Gull. The Gull Frolic is the only time that chumming is allowed at North Point Marina - and special permission must be sought to allow this. It was amazing seeing so many of the rare and not-so-rare gulls up close and active.
Thayer's Gull (adult)Here is another of the exciting finds, a Great Black-backed Gull. Its not hard to see how this bird gets it name! This is a 3rd winter bird and looks almost like the full adult (4th year) except the bill still has a black band and the black wings & back are not quite as black as they will end up.
Great Black-backed GullSince the usual way we see interesting gulls is the slightly different bird in a flock of Herring Gulls or Ring-billed Gulls, the opportunity to see so many different varieties close like this is awesome. I will definitely be putting the 2008 Gull Frolic on my calendar! In all we saw Iceland Gull, Thayer's Gull, Glaucous Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull and Ring-billed Gull.
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