Leucistic Greater Scaup at the Milwaukee River Milwaukee Wisconsin on February 15, 2015

Birding the Lake Michigan lakefront late morning provided some nice duck action. The highlight and surprise of the day was this beautiful what I think is a leucistic Greater Scaup Duck, female. It gave nice views for a few minutes early afternoon. This location was at the Bruce Street boat landing where the Kinnickinnic River meets the Milwaukee River near the lakefront. As I approached the small parking area there I got out of my car and quietly followed a woman birder Karen who I met after the event up to the hand railing at the river.  I picked through the ducks from a few feet behind her not wanting to flush any of the ducks. As she looked through the ducks so did I. I think we both spotted this interesting duck at the same time. As she turned around so did I and we both said, at the same time, I’m getting my camera! It was a fun birding moment as they say. The duck was present when I left. Snow was really coming down heavy when I left the lakefront area. Images were taken on February 15, 2015.

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Greater Scaup

Binomial name: Aythya marila

Category: Ducks, Geese and Swans

Size: 16.5” long, 25” wing span

Weight: 1.8 lb

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With Greater Scaup, female

With Greater Scaup, female

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With Greater Scaups, males

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With Greater Scaups, males

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With Greater Scaups, males

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With Greater Scaup, male

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With Greater Scaups

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With Greater Scaups, males

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About admin

Window to Wildlife features the photography of Jim Edlhuber. A lifelong native of Wisconsin, Jim has been photographing wildlife for 20 years. He considers himself an avid photographer and is always trying to capture nature and wildlife through his lens. He is in several photography clubs and has won numerous awards for his work. In recent years, Jim has focused mostly on birding photography and finds it to be the most challenging.

2 Responses to Leucistic Greater Scaup at the Milwaukee River Milwaukee Wisconsin on February 15, 2015

  1. Amy says:

    Beautiful!

  2. Todd Leech says:

    I took pictures of this same breed of duck on the Milwaukee River on February 27, 2015.

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