Long-tailed Duck

This morning I stopped by Peace Valley Park on my way to work and was greeted by a stunning winter-plumaged male Long-tailed Duck floating in the middle of the lake with the large Common Merganser flock. This is mostly a coastal bird, so not one you see very often here inland. Also present were three Northern Pintail, and half dozen Ruddy Ducks and Ring-necked Ducks, also a lone male Bufflehead. Birds are on the move! (photo: Indiana Audubon Society)