Lesser Scaup

It snowed overnight and is heavily overcast and dreary this morning, 11 December 2015. Temperature is -1C (windchill -5C) and humidity is 93%, and the Fog Advisory continues from yesterday. In other words, it doesn't look or sound very welcoming outside.

Yesterday, when I picked up my car from being repaired (after the accident I was involved in, but was not at fault), I got a free carwash. (Turned out that the heat shield had been damaged by the impact and that was what was causing the rattling.) Unfortunately, by the time I had run an errand or two, my car windows were fogged up badly and I suspect they may all have a covering of ice on the inside this morning, which will not be good. However, it does feel good to have a drivable car again, thank goodness.

This photo was taken at a wetland in SW Calgary on 7 July 2015, when I called in for just an hour after a doctor's appointment. Lesser Scaup (as opposed to Greater Scaup) are beautiful birds with their golden eyes and feather patterns.

The Lesser Scaup has a slight bump or peak on back of head, (not seen from the angle this photo was taken). The Greater Scaup is extremely similar, but is slightly larger and has a smoothly rounded head.

"Two scaup species live in North America: the Greater Scaup prefers salt water and is found in America and Eurasia, while the Lesser Scaup prefers freshwater and is found only in North America. The Lesser Scaup is one of the most abundant and widespread of the diving ducks in North America." From AllAboutBirds.

www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Lesser_Scaup/id

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lesser_scaup