Although the old proverb asserts that “birds of a feather flock together,” I have learned the value of examining groups of floating birds, because they often include multiple species. I was examining one such group last week in the waters off of Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge when I spotted an obvious outlier, a duck that was larger and more brightly colored than the rest. I am pretty sure that this is a male Canvasback duck (Aythya valisineria), a species that I do not see very often and still have not seen at close range.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Nice Mike! It is just “Ducky”!
They looked like they’re hunkered down, Mike.
I can’t say if they were hunkered down or if they were taking a nap. In retirement I have rediscovered the benefits of napping.
Ha ha. It is a nice option to have.
For the longest time I just assumed a flock were all the same. I wonder how many birds I missed 😂😂
I don’t even want to think, Ted, of all of those missed birds–I have enough problems trying to capture the ones that I do see.