Spring migration.  It's an amazing journey if you think about it.  Birds fly several thousand miles to get to their breeding grounds.  Some birds will even return to where they were hatched into this world.  That amazes me.  How does a bird know when to migrate?  There are several ways a bird knows when to migrate.  For example, in the north, bird migration patterns may be because we have the predictable seasons of spring and summer where we have abundant plant growth.  The birds arrive at their breeding grounds in time for the chicks to hatch when food is most plentyful.  Change of day length is another cue to initiate migration.  What it boils down to is an internal clock creating migratory restlessness that gets them on the move. 

Spring migration is pretty special in Pennsylvania because the birds are cloaked in their breeding colors.  I may not remember what I had for lunch last Friday but I will never forget making photographs of Ruddy, Red Head, and Lesser Scaup Ducks last spring.  This entire blog post contains images made during two evenings, after work, at Lake Arthur in Moraine State Park.

I've seen about five pair of Hooded Merganser's on Lake Arthur this spring.  The "Hoodie" is one of the most sought after ducks in the birding community; probably because of their unique head dress that flares upward when aroused, startled, or on defense.

Hooded Merganser pair

Hooded Merganser (male/female pair)

The lake is accommodating plenty of Ring-necked Ducks right now.  This male got a little close to a male Horned Grebe causing the "horns", which are really golden colored "ear" tufts, to point upward.  A Horned Grebe can dive underwater for up to three minutes and can travel as much as 400 feet in that period of time.  I found this male very close to shore but, in my presence, it dived and resurfaced 50 yards away leaving me with photos that are severely cropped.  This male isn't completely dressed in breeding colors.  The sides and neck will become much more red in color as the breeding colors develop.

Lesser Scaup (male) and Horned Grebe (male)

Lesser Scaup (male) and Horned Grebe (male)

This female Horned Grebe was a little less camera shy and was a lot more trusting than the male.  These photos were taken right along a beach area that in a few months will be a playground for hundreds of people.  Because of the openness of the shoreline, I thought of sitting in my pop-up blind to prevent the birds from retreating into deeper water.  That probably won't work as I have seen a lot of people driving through trying to see the migratory birds.  Eventually, someone would walk by and my efforts wouldn't be successful.

Horned Grebe (female)

Horned Grebe (female)

Welcome back Great Blue Heron.  I know a lot of fishermen aren't happy to see you but you are a welcome sight to me.

Great Blue Heron

Great Blue Heron

The American Wigeon, sometimes called "Baldplate" because of the white band on top of the males head, is a cautious bird, taking flight the instant it is disturbed.  They are often found in the company of diving birds such as Coots, Redheads, and Canvasbacks. Wigeons wait at the surface while the other birds dive, then snatch the food away when the birds reappear.  This photo was taken from a great distance and severely cropped.  I had to post it because it is my first American Wigeon image.

American Wigeon

American Wigeon (male)

This is a female American Wigeon walking across an ice covered portion of the lake.

American Wigeon

American Wigeon (female)

How can you not love a Bufflehead.  The iridescent, dark green or purple head of the male is a characteristic of no other duck.

Bufflehead (pair)

Bufflehead (male/female pair)

These beautiful ducks fly fast and usually close to the water but make no whistling sound in flight.

Bufflehead

Bufflehead (male)

Lesser Scaup, also known as "bluebill", is one of the most abundant diving duck in North America.  Below is a male and female flying across the lake.  The male is in the lead.  They are fast; really fast.  Distance was again a problem for me so I am happy to get a shot with both ducks in decent focus after cropping. 

Lesser Scaup (pair)

Lesser Scaup (female/male pair )

Here is a male Bufflehead shaking water off his back after a dive.

Bufflehead

Bufflehead (male)

Well, it can't be all birds in this blog.  Although the Groundhog doesn't migrate anywhere, it does miss most of the grueling winter by hibernating underground.  You won't hear a farmer say this but, it's nice to see you Mr. Groundhog.

Groundhog (Woodchuck)

Groundhog

If you get too close to the nest of a Killdeer, it will try to lure you away with loud calls and by faking a broken wing.

Killdeer

Killdeer

Here is a female Lesser Scaup drying its feathers.

Lesser Scaup (female)

Lesser Scaup (female)

With nowhere to take cover, and all the waterfowl drifting out to unreachable distances, I was ready to call it a day.  Just then, a large flock of Red-breasted Mergansers flew across the lake.  With the precision of starlings, they all changed direction two or three times and settled down 250 yards out in the middle of a narrow section of the lake.

Red-breasted MergansersLarge flock landed on Lake Arthur

Flock of Red-breasted Mergansers

They were a noisy bunch.  As soon as they landed they began to dive for fish, crustaceans, insects, and tadpoles attracting several Ring-billed Gulls looking to steal their catch.  Because of the distance, I don't have any close captures of the bombardment that are worth sharing.

Red-breasted MergansersLarge flock landed on Lake Arthur. After diving for food, the ring-billed gulls tried to persuade them to share.

Flock of Red-breasted Mergansers with Ring-billed Gulls hovering

As I stood there watching the action on the lake a sole pair of Red-breasted Mergansers swam by me fairly close to shore.  They were aware and swam by with caution but I was able to capture some nice images.

Red-breasted Merganser (pair)

Red-breasted Merganser (female/male pair)

Red-breasted Merganser (pair)

Red-breasted Merganser (female/male pair)

As they swam past I picked up my tripod to move to my right so I wouldn't be shooting into poor lighting.  My movement startled them and they both reversed direction and lifted off with the female frightening first.  I was able to get a good capture of the male as he flew past me.

Red-breasted Mergnanser (male)

Red-breasted Merganser (male)

Wow, that was a long blog but I had a lot of photos to share.  Keep checking back.  Springtime brings many photo opportunities and if I have time to get out, I will post my experiences.

Thanks for looking,

Dan