Dabblers and Divers at HMSC

We had a fun trip to Yaquina Bay, walking the Hatfield Marine Science Center trail along the bay.  Intrigued by the many varieties seen by the Lincoln County Auduboners yesterday, we had to swing by on our monthly trip to Fred Meyer and Walmart.

Waterfowl and sparrows are two areas where I struggle, and we saw plenty of both today.  Want to help me with some of the identification? 

First off we spotted a funny-looking duck, I believe it was a RED BREASTED MERGANSER?

RED-BREASTED MERGANSER

Next a good sized flock of BRANT, along with some WESTERN and MEW (and possibly other) GULLS.

BRANT and Company

We enjoyed some favorites, SURF SCOTERS and BUFFLEHEADS.

BUFFLEHEAD

SURF SCOTER

HOODED MERGANSER

A pair of HOODED MERGANSERS posed within fairly easy range of my small lens.  I believe this is a male and two females.








A large flock of NORTHERN PINTAIL were down toward the wooden bridge, along with a flock of AMERICAN WIGEON (no photos of the WIGEON).

NORTHERN PINTAIL

This one we saw near the HMSC parking lot.  Trying to go by the field guides, I was guessing a type of GOLDENEYE, but I won't be surprised if I'm wrong.

COMMON GOLDENEYE

 And here's one that I really have no idea.  We saw it floating in the bay when we were driving along the South Jetty road on our way home -- help anyone?

HARLEQUIN DUCK

HARLEQUIN DUCK

HARLEQUIN DUCK

If I get enough help with these, maybe next I'll try posting all of the SPARROWS that we saw today.

Thanks in advance!