Sea ducks

I recently made a quick run to Cedar Rapids, Iowa to check out some previously reported diving ducks. I wasn't disappointed! It was a chilly morning (my hands stopped working pretty quickly) with poor light but I tried to make the best of it.

Here is a LONG-TAILED DUCK:

... and a BLACK SCOTER:

... and a SURF SCOTER:

Here is the SURF SCOTER diving:

... and getting feisty towards one of the Mallards:

I was thinking back... and I'm sure that haven't been closer to these 3 species as I was that morning! It was a real treat.