After a long day of work, the sun had finally come out to play, casting a warm glow over the snow-covered landscape. The roads had cleared, the ice was melting, and I knew exactly what I needed—some time in nature, camera in hand. I grabbed my gear and made my way to Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary, hoping to find one bird in particular: the Green-Winged Teal.
I had heard reports that they were around, so I made my way toward their last known location. Along the way, I crossed paths with a few fellow photographers. We chatted for a bit, sharing stories of recent sightings—swans, fox sparrows, and more. Hearing about their experiences lifted my spirits, even though I had hoped for a quiet evening.
As I stepped onto the floating boardwalk, I spotted her—a female Green-Winged Teal. She was much smaller than I expected and incredibly skittish. The female Green-Winged Teal is a small and delicate duck, one of the smallest dabbling ducks in North America. Unlike the striking green and chestnut coloration of the male, the female has more subtle beauty, with mottled brown plumage that provides excellent camouflage in wetlands. She has a faint, dark eye-line and a slightly paler face, giving her a gentle expression. Though her namesake green wing patch is often hidden when at rest, a quick flap of her wings reveals the vibrant emerald color that makes this species so special.
Every little sound seemed to put her on edge. But, for a brief moment, she posed just long enough for me to capture a few shots before she decided she'd had enough of people and took off for somewhere quieter. I couldn't blame her—after a long day of dealing with people, I, too, was looking forward to some solitude.
Continuing along the boardwalk, I had to stop myself from screaming in excitement—American Coots!! Not just one, but at least five, mixed in with the Mallards. I had never seen Coots on Vancouver Island before.
The American Coot may look like a duck at first glance, but it’s actually more closely related to rails. Unlike ducks, coots have lobed toes instead of webbed feet, which help them swim efficiently while also allowing them to walk easily on land. Their oversized, greenish legs and comically large feet give them a quirky charm, and their striking white bills contrast sharply against their dark, slate-gray bodies. Though they often mingle with ducks, coots have a personality all their own—bold, social, and always entertaining to watch.
Their oversized green legs with black and grey stripes always amuse me, and I took my time capturing their quirky charm as they waddled around. Someone nearby was feeding the ducks, and the coots eagerly joined the feast, giving me plenty of opportunities to snap some fun portraits.
Feeling content, I left the Coots to enjoy the last rays of sunlight and headed back across the boardwalk. Along the way, I spotted a Song Sparrow perched nearby and a male Mallard standing on the ice, his emerald-green head shimmering in the golden light. He closed his eyes for a moment, soaking in the warmth of the sun—a quiet, peaceful moment that I was lucky to witness.
Did you know?
Mallards are incredibly resilient in winter, thanks to a special adaptation in their legs called countercurrent heat exchange. This system allows warm blood from their bodies to heat up the colder blood returning from their feet, preventing frostbite while they stand on ice. So while they may look cold, their bodies are built to handle winter’s chill with ease!
As I made my way toward another viewing platform, I encountered a cautious grey squirrel. He hesitated, watching me carefully, but wasn’t quite brave enough to approach. I left some peanuts nearby and carried on, hoping he would find them later.
Nothing to look at over here, Mr. Squirrel said. Hiding his bounty. Haha.
When I reached the platform, I was shocked to see the largest gathering of Ring-Necked Ducks I had ever seen. Both males and females, scattered across the water in what looked like a grand meeting. It was a mesmerizing sight.
Did you know?
Despite their name, male Ring-Necked Ducks don’t actually have a very visible ring around their neck! Instead, their most striking feature is their bold black-and-white contrast, with a deep black head, back, and chest, and a bright white belly. The cinnamon-colored ring around their neck is subtle and often hard to see, making their name a bit misleading. However, their distinct blue-gray bill with a white band near the tip is an easy way to identify them on the water!
The female Ring-Necked Duck may not have the bold contrast of the male, but she is a beauty in her own right. In the sunlight, her soft brown plumage glows with warm, golden undertones, and her delicate facial markings— a pale eye-ring and a subtle white patch at the base of her bill—give her an elegant charm. Her rich, earthy coloring blends perfectly with wetland environments, making her a stunning yet understated presence on the water.
The male Ring-Necked Duck was a striking contrast against the soft beige and brown hues of the lake’s winter landscape. His glossy black head and chest shimmered in the sunlight, while his crisp white flanks stood out like fresh snow against the water. The golden light brought out subtle iridescence in his dark plumage, making him look almost regal as he floated effortlessly. Framed by the muted tones of the shoreline, he was a perfect balance of boldness and elegance—a true winter gem on the water.
Then, out of nowhere, a Bald Eagle soared in—majestic, powerful, and shockingly close. My heart raced as I watched him glide over the lake, clearly scanning for dinner. The ducks were on high alert, but he didn’t strike. Instead, he circled the lake before perching in a tree, seemingly strategizing his next move. Watching such a magnificent bird in action was nothing short of awe-inspiring.
Just as I thought my adventure was winding down, I noticed a group of Trumpeter Swans further out on the lake. Though a bit too far for my 600mm lens, I managed to capture some environmental portraits. They were simply stunning—massive, elegant, and pure white, like floating clouds on the water.
Trumpeter Swans are the largest native waterfowl in North America, with an impressive wingspan that can reach up to 8 feet. Standing at nearly 4 feet tall, their sheer size is breathtaking, especially when seen up close. Despite their massive build, they move with incredible grace, gliding effortlessly across the water. Watching them stretch their wings or preen their snowy-white feathers is like witnessing nature’s version of elegance and power combined.
Then, as a final gift, a pair of Common Mergansers—a male and female—drifted into view. They didn’t stick around for long, heading further out into the lake, but I managed to get a few shots before they disappeared into the distance.
The Common Merganser pair was a perfect contrast of elegance and boldness. The male, with his sleek black-and-white plumage and striking emerald-green head, looked like he was dressed for a formal event. Beside him, the female had a more understated beauty—her warm, cinnamon-colored head and soft gray body blended harmoniously with the winter waters. Together, they moved effortlessly across the lake, their long, slender bills perfectly adapted for catching fish beneath the surface. A stunning duo in the golden light of evening.
As I returned to my car, I had one last unexpected encounter—a Fox Sparrow.
She emerged from the bushes, hopping onto the snow, giving me the grumpiest little stare as if she was scolding me for leaving. I couldn’t help but laugh—was she wondering where her seed was? Her bold personality left me chuckling all the way home.
The entire outing lasted just about an hour, but it was exactly what I needed. From new bird sightings to surprise encounters, to golden light glimmering on a Mallard’s feathers—this adventure had it all. Nature never fails to heal, inspire, and amaze me. Until next time, Bird Nerders.
Commentaires