Wood Duck (male) Aix sponsa Britannia Conservation Area, Ottawa, Ontario 25 May 2008 Normally wood ducks are shy and either swim away or flush at the sight of humans. This drake and the female photographed next were uncharacteristically calm and accommodating in our presence.
Wood Duck (male) Aix sponsa Britannia Conservation Area, Ottawa, Ontario 25 May 2008
Common Eider (male) "East Arctic" subspecies Somateria mollissima borealis Portland Head Light, Portland, Maine 19 May 2008 Common eiders are rare in Ottawa, but thrive along the eastern seaboard, especially during the winter. On a trip to Maine in May 2008, Melanie and I found our first common eiders near the Portland Head Light lighthouse.