Just Ducky in Orange County

It's tough to get close enough to most waterfowl to get photos. One of 24 Ring-necked Ducks at
It’s tough to get close enough to most waterfowl to get photos. One of 24 Ring-necked Ducks at Orange-Rockland Lake, 11/23/13.

I covered a lot of ground today in search of waterfowl in Orange County. I started early and headed north and worked my way south as the morning progressed.

Chadwick Lake Park:

Canada Goose  30
Mute Swan  2
Mallard  5
Lesser Scaup  4
Ring-billed Gull  1
Great Black-backed Gull  1

**I received a phone call from Bruce Nott in the afternoon – 4 Common Goldeneye continue at Chadwick Lake Park (I failed to locate them while I was there).**

Lake Washington and Masterson Memorial Park: 

Canada Goose  9
Mute Swan  2
Gadwall  32
Mallard  2
Hooded Merganser  28
Bald Eagle  1
Ring-billed Gull  75
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  1

One day I will get a good close up of a Hooded Merganser. Until then there is this. Hooded Mergansers at Masterson Memorial Park,, 11/23/13.
One day I will get a good close up of a Hooded Merganser. Until then there is this. Hooded Mergansers at Masterson Memorial Park,, 11/23/13.

Brown’s Pond: 

Canada Goose  145
Mute Swan  5
American Wigeon  4
Ring-necked Duck  18
Hooded Merganser  15
Common Merganser  36
Ruddy Duck  48
Bald Eagle  1
Red-tailed Hawk  1
Ring-billed Gull  7
Belted Kingfisher  1
Northern Flicker  1

These Ruddy Ducks were close by, but all tucked away. Brown's Pond, 11/23/13.
These Ruddy Ducks were close by, but all tucked away. Brown’s Pond, 11/23/13.

Orange-Rockland Lake:

Canada Goose  18
Ring-necked Duck  24
Ruddy Duck  7
Pied-billed Grebe  2
Downy Woodpecker  1

Orange-Rockland Lake was the best stop for photos by far. A pair of Ring-necked Duck
Orange-Rockland Lake was the best stop for photos by far. A pair of Ring-necked Ducks swims by, 11/23/13.

Glenmere Lake: 

Mute Swan  1
Ruddy Duck  4
Pied-billed Grebe  3
Dark-eyed Junco  2

In the evening I decided to try for the Short-eared Owls again. It was sunny and beautiful when I left the house. By the time the owls got up, which was early at 3:30, it was very gray and dark out. Here’s my best effort:

A very grainy shot of a SEOW. My ISO was at 3200 for this shot! Shawangunk Grasslands, 11/23/13.
A very grainy shot of a SEOW. My ISO was at 3200 for this shot! Shawangunk Grasslands, 11/23/13.