Today, I woke up early and headed to Lake Arthur hoping to photograph the Blue-winged Teal that I saw at dusk a couple days ago.  I planned to hike through the woods to the back side of the same cove in hopes to get close.  I was happy to see they were still there.

Blue-winged Teal

Blue-winged Teal (Canon EOS 7D, Canon 300mm 2.8L, 1.4X EF Extender III, f/4 @ 420mm, 1/3200, ISO 400)

Here is a male Blue-winged Teal as it watches me closely.

Blue-winged Teal (Male)

Blue-winged Teal (Male) (Canon EOS 7D, Canon 300mm 2.8L, f/2.8 @ 300mm, 1/8000, ISO 400)

There were four male Northern Shovelers that also spent the night on Lake Arthur. I never saw a Northern Shoveler in the wild so it was a thrill to be able to get some photographs. They were at a great distance. The Northern Shoveler is a migratory bird through Pennsylvania and can be seen from mid-March to late April and again in mid-August to late November. They are known (and named) for their extra large spoon like bill. Here they are as a Canada Goose passed by.

Northern Shoveler & Canada Goose (Canon EOS 7D, Canon 300mm 2.8L, 2X EF Extender III, f/5.6 @ 600mm, 1/800, ISO 400)

Here is another shot as they were feeding.

Northern Shoveler (Canon EOS 7D, Canon 300mm 2.8L, 2X EF Extender III, f/5.6 @ 600mm, 1/800, ISO 400)

Today is the first time I've had the opportunity to photograph the Common Loon.  Below are two photos I made of Common Loons as they were diving for food.  They were way out on the lake so I couldn't crop the image too closely.

Common Loon

Common Loon (Canon EOS 7D, Canon 300mm 2.8L, 2X EF Extender III, f/5.6 @ 600mm, 1/1600, ISO 200)

And another Common Loon.

Common Loon

Common Loon (Canon EOS 7D, Canon 300mm 2.8L, 2X EF Extender III, f/5.6 @ 600mm, 1/1600, ISO 200)

What would a day at the lake be without a Wood Duck sighting.  I have seen quite a few in the last month and I can't help posting another photo because of their brilliant color.

Wood Duck

Wood Duck (Male) (Canon EOS 7D, Canon 300mm 2.8L, 2X EF Extender III, f/5.6 @ 600mm, 1/250, ISO 200)

I'll close this post with a few photographs of other wildlife I saw today.

American Crow

American Crow (Canon EOS 7D, Canon 300mm 2.8L, f/2.8 @ 300mm, 1/2500, ISO 200)

Notice how perfectly round the woodpecker created the hole in the tree.  Given only a small chisel I don't think I would do as well.    

Downey Woodpecker (Male)

Downey Woodpecker (Canon EOS 7D, Canon 300mm 2.8L, f/2.8 @ 300mm, 1/5000, ISO 200)

Common Grackle

Common Grackle (Canon EOS 7D, Canon 300mm 2.8L, f/2.8 @ 300mm, 1/3200, ISO 200)

Red Squirrel

Red Squirrel (Canon EOS 7D, Canon 300mm 2.8L, 2X EF Extender III, f/5.6 @ 600mm, 1/800, ISO 200)

Until next time,

Dan