I Can't Help Myself....

My time with the Long-tailed Ducks earlier last week was so much fun that it was impossible for me to stay away, so a few days later I returned to the harbour at sunrise. This time it was much colder, resulting in less open water which worked to my advantage as the male and female Long-tailed Ducks were now even closer to me. I crawled across the boulders and wedged myself in place to spend an hour with them:

The water on the back of the male at times sparkled like beautiful diamonds in the early light:

Considering a dive:

The female always dove first, followed by the male:

Yet the male always swam in closer to me after re-surfacing:

...and he'd be gone:

Dive!

My patience paid off as the male began a spectacular preening session, just look at that tail!

Hard work, this is serious stuff!

Taking the plunge:

The fine couple are together for a change...

...but not for long, the ripples from the female's dive can be seen on the right:

...and the male follows her:

A few minutes later, their diving routine continues:

The male moves in closer to me yet again:

Another dive:

Suddenly another male swims into the area from under the pier: 

The first one isn't impressed...

...and he makes his way closer to the female:

A scuffle breaks out between the three of them:

...and the intruding male is banished. 

Until a third male appears from under the pier!

Notice the plumage difference between the two males:

The new male was also interested in the clicks of my camera but eventually moved on:

My last looks at the diving male, as it was time for me to crawl out from between the boulders:

I continued on my way and was successful in finding a sunbathing Eastern Screech-Owl for my Year List:

Interesting reflections in the canal reminded me of autumn golds and bronzes in Algonquin six months earlier: 

Even though I was further away from the Long-tails at my next stop, I was very pleased with the images I captured:  

A preening male:

Take-off:

Calm waters with reflections:

Textured backdrop:

Black and white beauty:

A sip of water:

Stretch:

Yes, there's a Long-tail in them thar waters!

Reflections:

And it wasn't all about Long-tailed Ducks NO, REALLY??!!, as a few White-winged Scoters were close to the pier as well:

So ended another memorable trip to Lake Ontario for Long-tailed Ducks, I just couldn't help myself! 

Speaking of which, perhaps the Snowy Owls I encountered today will be my last good views for the season? 

This is one wretched flight shot of the first one I saw this morning. I have to say, without a doubt, that she is the most massive female I've seen all winter. She was huge, as in don't-mess-with-me huge. I pity her prey, if they were to see her coming at them:

The next female was tiny by comparison, and therefore a lot less frightening: 

And just when you thought there'd be no more Snowy Owl pics, heheheeee. I can't help myself. 

Bring on migration.