The Breeze February 2015

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Photographed by Eric Horan Northern Shoveler I think it is safe to assume that this duck gets its name from a conspicuous elongated, bill that widens at the tip resembling a spatula. Comb shaped projections along the edges of its bill are a specialized adaptation to filter small organisms out of the water. It is considered a “dabbling” duck rather than a “diving” duck, although it can dive if disturbed. The male has an iridescent green head, white chest and chestnut belly and sides. The wings have a gray-blue shoulder patch. Per usual, the female is modest in her brownish speckled overall plumage, but also has the blue shoulder patch to match. 16 Bufflehead This is the smallest North American duck. It overwinters in our area and can commonly be found on the May River. It is white with a black back. The male has a dark head with a white patch that wraps around the back of his head. The female is grey overall with a white blaze on either cheek. They dive for food, aquatic invertebrates, mollusks and tiny crustaceans, typically swallowing it underwater, and surfacing within 30 seconds. Impressive. They use only their feet to swim underwater and compress the air from their feathers by pressing their wings tightly against their body. Speaking of feet, they rarely walk on land…females lead ducklings to water on foot. During breeding season (summer), abandoned northern flicker woodpecker holes accommodate bufflehead nesting mostly in Alaska and Canada. They are usually monogamous for the season and subsequent seasons.
Lesser Scaup This diving duck prefers fresh water, and is relatively abundant. Winter, non-breeding plumage is a blackbrown head and chest, mottled brown belly and sides, white back with overlay of black wavy lines, and dark tail. The female is basically the same but has a white patch at the base of her bill. The bill is bluish with a black “nail” tip. This projection is used to get into their favorite food, mussles and clams. In addition, crustaceans, insects, and seeds are also food items. Since I’m sure you are wondering, the greater scaup is basically the same, but larger. Both species have been known to visit the Hawaiian Islands in winter. Aloha! Photographed by George Cathcart Hooded Merganser The hooded merganser is a small duck with a white breast, brown sides, and a black head with a white collapsible crest that can make their head look oblong. They are on the May River in winter and can easily be confused with the Bufflehead. Just look for the brown sides, thin bill, and odd shaped head to distinguish them. The females have a cinnamon colored crest and her body is brownish grey overall. They dive for their food and hunt by sight. A nictitating membrane, or third eyelid protects their eyes when submerged. This adaptation is also common in reptiles and sharks. Their bill is serrated to grab prey such as small fish, aquatic insects, small crabs, shrimp, and frogs. Females have been known to lay their eggs in other hooded merganser nests for unknown reasons…avoiding maternal duties? However, the ducklings leave the nest one day after hatching and attempt short dives right away. Unfortunately, we will not see this cuteness in the Lowcountry. Remember Duck, Rabbit, Duck…!? Daffy can relax, duck season is over. Is it Fricasseeing rabbit season yet? Elmer Fudd is no genius. On that note, be sure to take the bird quiz in the next issue to see if you retained anything from this series: Winter Birds Part 1 and 2. Photos provided by www.horanphoto.com and www.finsfeathersfoto.com 17
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Page 5 and 6: Breeze CONTENTS Februrary 2015, vol
Page 7 and 8: As this is Black History Month we f
Page 9 and 10: Indians, were spared for some days,
Page 11 and 12: The Valentine’s poem that lives f
Page 13 and 14: Part 2: Waterfowl If it looks like
Page 15: Horned Grebe This small water bird
Page 19 and 20: WE MAKE BIKING EASY We offer much m
Page 21 and 22: wearing shoes they got cut to shred
Page 23 and 24: THE WHALE AND FOUR BLIND MICE TRUE
Page 25 and 26: fully convinced by the similarities
Page 27 and 28: One might think the worst when faci
Page 29 and 30: Breeze Fellowship AFRICAN METHODIST
Page 31 and 32: Breeze Bulletin Board SUBSCRIPTIONS
Page 33 and 34: all factored into her program. But
Page 35 and 36: Evanovich, P.J. O’Rourke, and Ann
Page 37 and 38: Breeze Wine Within Reach created an
Page 39 and 40: Serving the Needs of Greater Blufft
Page 41 and 42: Having returned to school at the Wa
Page 43 and 44: For the things that make it home! 4
Page 45 and 46: MAY RIVER GRILL** - SEAFOOD CONTEMP
Page 47 and 48: 5 Sherrington Drive Bluffton, SC 29
Page 49 and 50: Making your dream golf home possibl
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The Breeze February 2015

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