I had fun at Esquimalt Lagoon Feb. 22nd watching the ducks chasing each other, diving and bathing. Here are a few pix of a male scaup duck having a bath. Click them bigger.

Here's a few pix of a female scaup duck at Esquimalt Lagoon Feb. 22nd, having a good scratch. Click them bigger.

Here are a few pix of a female scaup duck having a bath at Esquimalt Lagoon, taken Feb. 22nd. Click them bigger.

Here are some American Coots and a pair of Common Goldeneye ducks at Esquimalt Lagoon, taken Feb. 22nd. There doesn't seem to be any difference in appearance between the male and female Coots. Click them bigger.

Here are some pix of male and female Northern Pintail ducks at Esquimalt Lagoon, taken Feb. 22nd. Click them bigger.

Hello Kay, Wow! You're getting some great photos of shorebirds. I especially liked the first photo of the Scaup and the series where it's taking a bath. The Coot photo where you can see its reflection in the clear water is another winner. -- Ed

Thanks Ed. There wasn't much beach at Esq. Lagoon last time I was there but the ducks come very close to the shore so it's not too difficult to get a good close-up of them. The pic of the Coot with its reflection was one of my favourites; especially with its green leg.

Here are a few pix of the cormorants I saw at Swan Lake, Wed. of last week. I believe these are double-crested cormorants. Click them bigger.