It was a blustery, snowy, windy afternoon in Porte des Mortes passage. It was, frankly, miserable………. much more typical of an early March afternoon than early April. But the snow was flying, the waters were rough, and I was waiting patiently on shore at Northport Pier, watching for my favorite ship on the Great Lakes, the Edward L. Ryerson, which was supposed to be upbound to Escanaba. On a clear day, she’d be perfectly visible. Not that day though. Snow squalls blocked the view.

But what did keep me happily entertained was a flock of delightful divers, clearly on a rest-stop during their migratory journey northward. The mixed-flock appeared to be Buffleheads and Scaups at first glance, but once I downloaded the pictures and carefully scrutinized them, only then did I realize I’d seen even more!!

Picture #1: Male and female Buffleheads (Bucephala albeola), the smallest of the diving ducks, were present in force.

Picture #3: Also present were many male and female Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) … I suppose it is possible that a couple of Greater Scaups were in there as well, but the water was rough, and the wind brisk, making the necessary really clear pictures impossible.

Picture #2: Without a doubt, however, I did capture at least one male Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris). His white shoulder patch and white ringed bill are unmistakable.

The birds were still there on April 8, 2007 when I returned for the actual passage of the Ryerson through Porte des Mortes. The weather was no nicer on the 8th, though.

Filed under: Birds • Sightings

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