Winter Birds

[jude01]

This little one has been hanging out with a group of killdeer, I think it might be a Least Sandpiper, but not quite sure as it's plumage is a bit different. Can anyone I.D this guy?

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7322/11935143373_f89e429d3d_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/selena_rhodes_scofield_photography/11935143373/)
little shore bird 2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/selena_rhodes_scofield_photography/11935143373/) by Selena Rhodes Scofield Photography (http://www.flickr.com/people/selena_rhodes_scofield_photography/), on Flickr

Had fun with the intense lighting on this Mallard drake.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3760/11800132216_472202b5dd_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/selena_rhodes_scofield_photography/11800132216/)
mallard duck 2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/selena_rhodes_scofield_photography/11800132216/) by Selena Rhodes Scofield Photography (http://www.flickr.com/people/selena_rhodes_scofield_photography/), on Flickr

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2862/11799798274_474cfddc3b_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/selena_rhodes_scofield_photography/11799798274/)
mallard duck 1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/selena_rhodes_scofield_photography/11799798274/) by Selena Rhodes Scofield Photography (http://www.flickr.com/people/selena_rhodes_scofield_photography/), on Flickr

Cormorant bathed in light from the rising sun

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2813/11799588663_b1a0484137_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/selena_rhodes_scofield_photography/11799588663/)
cormorant against blue sky (http://www.flickr.com/photos/selena_rhodes_scofield_photography/11799588663/) by Selena Rhodes Scofield Photography (http://www.flickr.com/people/selena_rhodes_scofield_photography/), on Flickr

Always taunting me

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3833/11281273686_55b9fe0ca8_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/selena_rhodes_scofield_photography/11281273686/)
king fisher 2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/selena_rhodes_scofield_photography/11281273686/) by Selena Rhodes Scofield Photography (http://www.flickr.com/people/selena_rhodes_scofield_photography/), on Flickr

Grebe

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3688/11281350043_61655a28a5_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/selena_rhodes_scofield_photography/11281350043/)
grebe 2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/selena_rhodes_scofield_photography/11281350043/) by Selena Rhodes Scofield Photography (http://www.flickr.com/people/selena_rhodes_scofield_photography/), on Flickr

A lone female Northern Shoveler. I've never seen one here before. I love the shape of her bill, and the baleen like hairs on the sides.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7399/11281313994_2b1c8179d3_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/selena_rhodes_scofield_photography/11281313994/)
female northern shoveler 2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/selena_rhodes_scofield_photography/11281313994/) by Selena Rhodes Scofield Photography (http://www.flickr.com/people/selena_rhodes_scofield_photography/), on Flickr

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3752/11281294106_5ae81fd4da_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/selena_rhodes_scofield_photography/11281294106/)
female northern shoveler 1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/selena_rhodes_scofield_photography/11281294106/) by Selena Rhodes Scofield Photography (http://www.flickr.com/people/selena_rhodes_scofield_photography/), on Flickr

[Runmonty]

A lovely, clear, sharp set once again Jude. I like the diagonal perch in the King fisher shot, and the grebe for cuteness value.

[JAS_Photo]

Lovely set, Jude! That little kingfisher is precious!

[Hillbillygirl]

All great captures Jude. Really likin' that nice little Kingfisher, but that Cormorant is just perfect. Love that pose, sharp detail, and the wonderful light.
As for your Sandpiper it is a winter plumage Spotted Sandpiper.

[Marko]

Cormorant against blue sky for me - lovely set overall - well done!

[jude01]

Thanks guys,
and thanks for the I.D Hillbillygirl.

[aubintbay]

Great set as always Jude! Really likin' the closeups of the mallards.

[Iguanasan]

Such wonderful detail. An excellent set of images, Jude. Well done!

[JednaChwila]

nice photos! especially like the second one!

[Barefoot]

Every one is nice, but a Kingfisher will always steal the show.

I think you're right that the first is a sandpiper. The only other thought is that it might be one of the Plovers.

[Jim Scrimger]

A great series

[asnow]

Wonderful set Jude. Love that little king fisher.