My First Hybrid

I've mentioned before that one of the challenges faced by a novice birder like myself is that many birds look different in different seasons and at various stages of their lives. However, there is a further though rarer challenge and that is that some species of birds interbreed occasionally and produce hybrids that may bear some of the characteristics of both parent species. Above is an example. There are two species of Goldeneye Ducks, the Common Goldeneye and the Barrow's Goldeneye. Differences in head shape, size and plumage distinguish the two species. However, occasionally they interbreed and produce a hybrid such as can be seen in the photo above. The hybrid is second from the left. He bears the teardrop-shaped white cheek patch characteristic of the Barrow's Goldeneye but the black and white pattern on his back is much closer to the Common Goldeneyes that surround him than is usual with the Barrow's Goldeneyes. Below is a photo of some Barrow's Goldeneyes for comparison. Note particularly the bird on the far right of the photo as he is the only male.

Goldeneyes

Greetings all on this Easter weekend. While awaiting the ferry on Galiano Island I was pleased to see this group of Goldeneye Ducks (Bucephala clangula). I have seen a couple of individual Goldeneyes this year in Victoria but not a group like this. This group is a male, on the far right, and a group of females. That bulbous swelling of the head above the eyes gives them their Latin name, "Bucephala", which means "ox-headed". And from this photo it is easy to see why they are commonly called Goldeneyes.

Optical Illusions

What do you see in this photograph, holes or bumps? So far, everyone I've asked says 'bumps' but in fact they are holes. On this part of the coast there are areas where the rocky shoreline includes some wild rock formations and I found these on Galiano Island. I am not sure what their proper name is however. Anyone? - Fern

Riding the Ferry

If you live on an island, as we do here in Victoria, you have to take the ferry quite often. It is really a lovely ride through the smaller southern gulf islands. Between Galiano and Mayne Islands there is a narrow passage where the ferries often pass each other providing a nice photo op. -Fern