Cute Bufflehead Duck on Sunlit Waters Keychain

Looking deceptively like a baby duck, this full grown Bufflehead hen struck the perfect pose for me at one of the inner ponds at the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary. Curious "sentries" like this one will often detach themselves from the flock to satisfy their curiosity about those lenses pointed in their direction. I really doubt it's for the birdseed, unless we have discovered one with a sudden taste for them. :)

There was just enough afternoon sunlight left to reflect the blue skies in the waters, paint a catchlight in this Bufflehead's eyes, and cast a soft glow on her face.

With fall giving way to winter in just another week, we are seeing more and more of these tiny diving seaducks -- but always in small groups that tend to stay in waters far, far from human view. Though not skittish like Hooded Mergansers tend to be, I have yet to see a single Bufflehead set a webbed toe on land.

Based on the original photography of W.H. Sim. All Rights Reserved. See more at zazzle.com/walkswithnature