Northern Shoveler.

During the early days of February I recorded a pair of [Northern] Shoveler (Anas clypeata) on the Great Pond at Epsom Common but failed to get any shots as they were always very wary and tended to hide in the waterside vegetation. However a recent visit to Farlington Marshes provided the opportunity to get a couple of images to share of both sexes in their breeding plumage.

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday.

Shoveler and Tufted Up Close.

Male Shoveler (Anas clypeata).

[ F/18; 1/80; ISO 400 @ 95mm ]

Female Tufted (Anthya fuligula).

[ F/13; 1/200; ISO 400 @ 190mm ]

Ducks in Breeding Plumage.

Many of our resident and over-wintering migrant ducks are now sporting their full breeding plumages.

Northern Pintail (Anus acuta)

I intend to share a series on this elegant species on my main blog very soon.

Pochard (Common)  (Aythya ferina)

Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata)

For more images of this species click this link to my main blog.

Northern Shoveler (Anus clypeata)

All photographed within Surrey in the last few weeks ..... FAB.