Northern Shoveler

This afternoon we were pleased to see a northern shoveler duck in the marsh pond. It was hanging around with a group of four blue-winged teals which are much more common in our area. Since we see these shoveler ducks only occasionally, it was nice that this one stayed around with his teal friends for some photo opportunities rather then taking off at the first sight of annoying photographers. The northern shoveler has a rather interesting looking spoon shaped bill that it often has angled down straining water as it feeds.

58 thoughts on “Northern Shoveler”

pixelspielerei on April 22, 2013 at 9:14 pm said:

So fascinating! He is really a beauty! And his family too, of course! ☼

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- Phil Lanoue on April 24, 2013 at 2:37 pm said:
  
  He is a good looker and his friends are quite attractive as well!
  
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ruthincolorado on April 22, 2013 at 10:34 pm said:

Fantastic shots of a beautiful bird!

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- Phil Lanoue on April 24, 2013 at 2:37 pm said:
  
  Thanks very much Ruth!
  
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Mike Bizeau on April 22, 2013 at 10:48 pm said:

Nice shots, I just had the opposite experience. Shovelers are common here but we recently had a few blue wing teal visit. It is always fun to see something unexpected in your area. Keep up the great work.

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- Phil Lanoue on April 24, 2013 at 2:37 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much Mike and good to know where all the shovelers are residing!
  
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Phil Turner on April 22, 2013 at 10:56 pm said:

Hi Phil,

We loved your Duck shots. That Shoveler will grow into a handsome fellah! The Blue winged have already made it. We had a short visit by a rather flashy Blue Grosbeak today. I’m ashamed to send the few shots I got today The sky rat didn’t help by shaking the whole Shepard crook. I’m shaky enough.

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- Phil Lanoue on April 24, 2013 at 2:38 pm said:
  
  Thanks a million Phil, glad you liked these ducks!
  
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Charlie@Seattle Trekker on April 22, 2013 at 11:12 pm said:

Very interesting, great picture.

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- Phil Lanoue on April 24, 2013 at 2:38 pm said:
  
  Thanks I appreciate it Charlie!
  
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Jeff | Planet Bell on April 22, 2013 at 11:27 pm said:

That is a very cool bird.

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- Phil Lanoue on April 24, 2013 at 2:39 pm said:
  
  It is interesting for me especially since I don’t see them often.
  
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janmasyn on April 23, 2013 at 2:08 am said:

Fantastic shots Phil, the second one is awesome.

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- Phil Lanoue on April 24, 2013 at 2:39 pm said:
  
  Thanks a lot Jan, that second shot has gone around all over already.
  
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Paula on April 23, 2013 at 2:15 am said:

The northern shoveler is quite colourful 🙂

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- Phil Lanoue on April 24, 2013 at 2:40 pm said:
  
  Sometimes you don’t see all the colors unless they lift up their wings. 🙂
  
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Andrew on April 23, 2013 at 3:19 am said:

Strange but we get lts of Northern Shovelers but Blue-winged Teal? Now that would cause a stir. I vote for the teals!!

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- Phil Lanoue on April 24, 2013 at 2:41 pm said:
  
  The teals are cool but I have been seeing them off and on for a few months now. I’m always hoping for something different!
  
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Gunta on April 23, 2013 at 3:46 am said:

What a beautifully colored duck this is and your shots are marvelous. I wish I could get close enough to our visitors to sort out which ones vacation here for the winter.

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- Phil Lanoue on April 24, 2013 at 2:42 pm said:
  
  It’s funny how some ducks like this look better when they display their wings or in flight. Interesting to see!
  
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roughseasinthemed on April 23, 2013 at 3:52 am said:

What amazing colours with the open wings. And the teals look extremely cute and tidy. He looks like he is rounding them up and making sure they get to their destination on time!

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- Phil Lanoue on April 24, 2013 at 2:43 pm said:
  
  Those teals do look quite cute and tidy. Interestingly, the teals paid no special attention to the NS, just as if it was teal #5. 🙂
  
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circuitousjourney on April 23, 2013 at 6:31 am said:

I look handsome, I look smart
I am walking work of art
Such a dazzling coat of colours
How I love my coat of many colours

source: http://www.lyricsondemand.com/soundtracks/j/josephandtheamazingtechnicolordreamcoatlyrics/josephscoatlyrics.html

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- Phil Lanoue on April 24, 2013 at 2:43 pm said:
  
  That’s great thanks!
  
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einfachtilda on April 23, 2013 at 7:46 am said:

As always from dir…wundervolle photos!

LG Mathilda 😉

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- Phil Lanoue on April 24, 2013 at 2:43 pm said:
  
  I’m happy you like them!
  
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Garden Walk Garden Talk on April 23, 2013 at 9:39 am said:

My what a big beak you have, says the alligator to the duck! Great photos as always Phil. Is it with Canvasbacks?

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- Phil Lanoue on April 24, 2013 at 2:44 pm said:
  
  He does have a big spoony bill! He is with a group of four blue-winged teals.
  
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  - Garden Walk Garden Talk on April 24, 2013 at 2:45 pm said:
    
    Thanks, I did see it in your post after I commented.
    
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dinajohnston on April 23, 2013 at 10:49 am said:

Great color and detail you got of him! They are usually pretty skittish around here.

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- Phil Lanoue on April 24, 2013 at 2:45 pm said:
  
  I really thought they would leave when I approached but they simply ignored me which was how I like it.
  Thanks for checking these out.
  
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Amy on April 23, 2013 at 1:00 pm said:

Beautiful, colorful… It’s like a painting!

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- Phil Lanoue on April 24, 2013 at 2:45 pm said:
  
  They are interesting ducks. That head will turn a solid green eventually.
  
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Cowboys and Crossbones on April 23, 2013 at 1:21 pm said:

WHAT? These look like leopard ducks to me – which means they are absolutely gorgeous in my book. I wonder if Teddy would mind if I adopted a duck? And Mr. Bear and Jack wonder why you don’t have a Cats category. I think I see more kit cat piles in your future….

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- Phil Lanoue on April 24, 2013 at 2:47 pm said:
  
  They do look like leopard ducks and I know Jack is cool with the mallards that often walk through our backyard along with the occasional swan. I bet the Ted man would love a duck friend. Well as long as it doesn’t eat his food.
  
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  - Cowboys and Crossbones on April 24, 2013 at 4:48 pm said:
    
    Oh you know, I never thought about the duck wanting to eat Ted’s food…hmm…could pose a problem for my diva cat. I’ll discuss with him tonight.
    
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Deb W. Trotter on April 23, 2013 at 1:56 pm said:

What a beautiful bird and photos. (Where is your marsh located anyway? At least, what State, if you don’t want to give specifics!!)

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- Phil Lanoue on April 24, 2013 at 2:48 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much glad you like these pics!
  I’m in the coastal South Carolina area just south of Myrtle Beach that’s where the salt marsh, marsh pond, and swamp are located. 🙂
  
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Fergiemoto on April 23, 2013 at 3:59 pm said:

He’s quite a handsome fellow. Great shots!

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- Phil Lanoue on April 24, 2013 at 2:48 pm said:
  
  Thanks, he is quite handsome isn’t he? He will look better once his head turns all green.
  
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Chillbrook on April 23, 2013 at 5:49 pm said:

Fabulous shots of a very handsome bird Phil.

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- Phil Lanoue on April 24, 2013 at 2:49 pm said:
  
  Thank you Adrian, he is quite the looker but will look even better once he matures and his head is an even bright green.
  
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Maggie Davey on April 24, 2013 at 5:58 am said:

Great to see a bird, familiar in England, in your pictures! Your birds are so beautiful, I was beginning to get an inferiority complex! He is a handsome bird, isn’t he? Lovely pics, Phil!

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- Phil Lanoue on April 24, 2013 at 2:50 pm said:
  
  Thank you Maggie and I’m happy you like these duck photos!
  Wait until we get in some roseate spoonbills, those pink guys can stop traffic! 😀
  
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niasunset on April 24, 2013 at 7:13 am said:

Great shots… I loved their colours… Thanks and Love, nia

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- Phil Lanoue on April 24, 2013 at 2:51 pm said:
  
  Thank you Nia, so glad you liked those duck pics!
  
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elizz on April 24, 2013 at 7:23 am said:

beautiful shots phil, i love how the green feathers pop out when the bird spreads its wings.

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- Phil Lanoue on April 24, 2013 at 2:52 pm said:
  
  That really is an interesting aspect of their appearance, how some of the colors really show when they have their wings up or in flight.
  Thanks so much for looking and commenting!
  
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adinparadise on April 24, 2013 at 2:54 pm said:

What a great design for a beak. He’s a real dandy, isn’t he? 🙂 Wonderful photos again, Phil.

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- Phil Lanoue on April 26, 2013 at 11:02 am said:
  
  He is quite the dapper gent! But he will look even better once his head turns solid green. Thanks Sylvia!
  
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meyer23 on April 24, 2013 at 5:53 pm said:

The first two pics are impressive. Good work.

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- Phil Lanoue on April 26, 2013 at 11:02 am said:
  
  Thanks much, I’m very glad you enjoyed these photos!
  
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Bella Remy Photography on April 24, 2013 at 6:57 pm said:

Holy Cow ! the first two photos of the shoveler are amazing ! The best I’ve ever seen of this shy duck.

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- Phil Lanoue on April 26, 2013 at 11:03 am said:
  
  I really appreciate the very kind words Emily and glad you like our snappy looking boy here!
  
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FeyGirl on April 24, 2013 at 10:32 pm said:

Fascinating… I’ve never seen these guys! Such colors, just lovely.

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- Phil Lanoue on April 26, 2013 at 11:04 am said:
  
  I was happy to see this guy and have a chance to get pics. I went back the next day and saw the teals again but the shoveler was gone.
  
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Katariina Partala on April 25, 2013 at 7:27 am said:

Amazing pics and amazing bird!! So colourful!!!! 😀

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- Phil Lanoue on April 26, 2013 at 11:05 am said:
  
  It’s funny how some birds like this look their best when the wings are up so we can see their different colors! Thanks!
  
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