Bufflehead ducks (Bucephala albeola) have a pretty distinctive look. The males look like they are wearing large white earmuffs and the females have a bright white patch on their cheeks that always reminds me of the Nike logo. Most of the time the head of the male appears to be dark in color, but when the light hits it in just the right way, you can see beautiful purple and green iridescent colors.
I was thrilled when I captured this image of a Bufflehead couple last Thursday at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge that shows those wonderful colors. According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, “Unlike most ducks, the Bufflehead is mostly monogamous, often remaining with the same mate for several years.”
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
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