grey teal

That word seemed to be the word of the day for my bird book... they used it three times in the opening sentence describing this little duck LOL. It doesn't look very 'grey' to me, but the book says 'uniformly greyish-brown. I thought the scientific name might mean 'gracefull' but it actually...

Strangely another which was the first I'd seen since the first day out with Peter and Adrienne. I'm guessing we just didn't get to the right places for them in the Albany area. Lovely wee waders these, aren't they. He's with a Grey Teal in case you're wondering.

Dozing quietly were a few Grey Teal with a Pink-eared Duck, the first one I'd seen since my first day out with Peter & Adrienne in South Australia.

Just along from the night heron a much larger Australian Ibis, with a Grey Teal for company.

A little distant, and a big zoom and crop thereafter too, were this group (well only a little part of it really). In there is an Australian Pelican, three Black Swans and a load of Grey Teal.

.... well sort of LOL This was now my first Lifer of the day, a Grey Teal. Both adults are the same. However, they do look rather like a female Chestnut Teal, but they lack the whitish plumage round the throat which the Grey shows.

.... but not Gandalf LOL Wandering along to another lake, there was a Grey Teal sitting on a fallen branch. Sweet wee ducks these.

Back to Australia, temporarily. These birds always seem to have a delightfully innocent and good-natured expression!

I do think I saw more of these, but can't recall whether I got a better shot of one. I do like the golden light, though. Even the duck looked a bit gilded.

Not the sharpest photo but I did like getting the three species lined up!

It has an eye on me. Soon they will come common due to the pending duck shooting season.

Keeping out of the way of shooters.

This Teal on one of its favorite posts.

These two set themselves up beautifully!!

They have not been present this year at Te Awanga.

It seems to have something interesting below.

The last in my trio of duck photos. The Grey Teal is not as spectacular as the Chestnut, but it's one of my favourites!