“There’s something larger than us at work.” For a long time it’s been my nature to assigned meaning to wildlife, to most any animal or bird. So it was easy when tasked with finding a power greater than myself. I appreciate people like you who work hard to rightfully and eloquently elaborate via words and photos the specific details of their existence. There IS certainly something larger than us at work in all of nature. The power of any creature to survive, the innocent and pure way in which they survive gives evidence of something greater than us. Thank you for searching out a little piece to give witness.
Thank you, Lola. There is absolutely something larger, and signs of it are right there for us to see if we just take the time to look. It is awe-inspiring and humbling—one second it makes itself apparent, the next it hides away.
I really loved reading this piece, here on new year’s eve. It was a very challenging year (to say the least) and just a few hours earlier I saw my first Wilson’s Snipe bobbing its cute little body looking for worms? at an estuary shore. They’re a bit uncommon where I am, the last sighting in the park in 2023 sent the local birders into a tizzy. I couldn’t help but feel that the next year would be better if this year could end on such a high bird sighting note. Reading this was quite cathartic that someone else felt similarly 😊 Thank you for the lovely piece.
I am glad you enjoyed this piece, Emma. When challenges are presented, we can turn to the birds. Sounds like your Wilson’s Snipe might’ve been looking for food. Was the bird digging its bill into the ground? It sounds like nature’s wild god provided for you. Rather than let the year end on a low note, it ended on a high one—so the next would start on the same note. Thank you for reading and for commenting.
“The wild god provided, but I also did my part—researched where to go and went.”
I loved this line because it is something I remind myself of often when a goal feels completely out of reach. Some of life is luck, but luck can’t be on my side until I get the ball rolling with my preparation.
Thank you, Alice! It is easy to give power to luck or superstition, but it is important to remember nothing happens without effort.
I am laughably superstitious and wore a “lucky” shirt for something I’d been preparing for for months. When it went as hoped, I credited the shirt—but really should’ve credited the months of preparation.
Luck never hurts, neither does doing your part to make something happen.
Congratulations on capturing images of those Harlequin Ducks, James. A fine way to finish your big year 2024. I like the story behind their naming as well.
Thank you Neil. Definitely feels fitting for the end of my big year. Just absurdly handsome little ducks. It was cool to learn why they’re called “harlequin”
Such great birds, James, thanks for sharing! I miss Harlequin Ducks - we used to see them frequently when we lived in the PNW, but I haven’t seen one yet in Maine. Someday!
Thank you Sydney! Your photography prowess with the Harlequin Duck’s beauty and the backdrop of the Maine coast would make for incredible images! The Maine coast does have a Harlequin appeal—I hope you see them up there soon.
Been sitting on this post. Just poured a coffee and savored it. A+ words and photos. I remember my first Harlequin Ducks. A quartet in Cleveland bobbing in rough waters. That encounter got an A+, in part because I had just dipped on a Slaty-backed Gull. Happy New Year, James!
Thank you so much, and Happy New Year to you as well, Nathaniel! I read your year in review but want to do the same thing--let it sit, read it again, then chime in. Your Harlequin Duck encounter definitely sounds like an A+, but I want to hear the story of this Slaty-backed Gull now. A special gull to a special duck. Even if the former didn't go as planned, it led to the latter. That's what birding dreams are made of (warbler this, raptor that, but people overlook the ducks and gulls).
The Slaty-backed was confirmed in Cleveland in March 2023. That was enough of a rarity to get me to drive the two hours the next day. Conditions were terrible on Lake Erie. Wind, rain, and cold. Still, I saw a gull that looked like a match. I snapped some photos and moved on to the Harlequins. Got those easy, which I was grateful for. I put the gull photos out for ID help on Twitter, but the consensus was a likely Great Black-backed. Oh well. It would have been a D+ sighting at best anyway.
Beautifully captured in writing and via camera...my first Harlequins were from a Zodiac off Haida Gwai in 1992. I never tire of seeing them. May 2025 bring you birds and joy.
Happy New Year, James! The effort you went through to find these amazing ducks really shows. The mist and fog, the low visibility almost makes the ducks look mystical. It’s wild to learn that they favor rough conditions. I used to work in veterinary surgery, lots of orthopedics and even though that is a really hands on occupation, we always talked about animals healing on their own in the wild. I haven’t seen Harlequins in the PNW, but this past week I did see a leucistic Mallard drake. He seemed protected by the flock.
Happy new year, Heidi! A leucistic Mallard must be something special to see! I’ve never seen one but would be thrilled. Veterinary surgery sounds very hands on and very rewarding.
Thanks, James. There's also a pair of American Wigeons hanging out with the Mallards. It took me a few hours to figure out that I had seen a leucistic Mallard and I was pretty stunned when I realized what the little guy really is.
Sounds like you are having quite the waterfowl winter, Heidi! Keep me updated about what else you see! A leucistic Mallard might take the cake, but ducks are full of surprises.
Congratulations James and Happy New Year! I've never seen Harlequin Ducks in the wild. I ended my 2024 with a life bird -- a Neotropic Cormorant here in Texas.
Amazing! Congratulations, Sandra! A fitting end to the year. I’ve only ever seen Double-crested and Great Cormorants, I’d love to add Neotropic to my life list and also Brandt’s. Were you able to take photos?
It was very foggy but l did get good enough shots for identification. Will be posting Texas shots after l get home on Saturday and start sorting through them.
James, Congratulations on the wonderful harlequin duck sighting and photos! You've definitely had a great year for birding. Here's to another big year for you in 2025!
“There’s something larger than us at work.” For a long time it’s been my nature to assigned meaning to wildlife, to most any animal or bird. So it was easy when tasked with finding a power greater than myself. I appreciate people like you who work hard to rightfully and eloquently elaborate via words and photos the specific details of their existence. There IS certainly something larger than us at work in all of nature. The power of any creature to survive, the innocent and pure way in which they survive gives evidence of something greater than us. Thank you for searching out a little piece to give witness.
Thank you, Lola. There is absolutely something larger, and signs of it are right there for us to see if we just take the time to look. It is awe-inspiring and humbling—one second it makes itself apparent, the next it hides away.
I really loved reading this piece, here on new year’s eve. It was a very challenging year (to say the least) and just a few hours earlier I saw my first Wilson’s Snipe bobbing its cute little body looking for worms? at an estuary shore. They’re a bit uncommon where I am, the last sighting in the park in 2023 sent the local birders into a tizzy. I couldn’t help but feel that the next year would be better if this year could end on such a high bird sighting note. Reading this was quite cathartic that someone else felt similarly 😊 Thank you for the lovely piece.
I am glad you enjoyed this piece, Emma. When challenges are presented, we can turn to the birds. Sounds like your Wilson’s Snipe might’ve been looking for food. Was the bird digging its bill into the ground? It sounds like nature’s wild god provided for you. Rather than let the year end on a low note, it ended on a high one—so the next would start on the same note. Thank you for reading and for commenting.
“The wild god provided, but I also did my part—researched where to go and went.”
I loved this line because it is something I remind myself of often when a goal feels completely out of reach. Some of life is luck, but luck can’t be on my side until I get the ball rolling with my preparation.
Congratulations on a great end to your big year!
Thank you, Alice! It is easy to give power to luck or superstition, but it is important to remember nothing happens without effort.
I am laughably superstitious and wore a “lucky” shirt for something I’d been preparing for for months. When it went as hoped, I credited the shirt—but really should’ve credited the months of preparation.
Luck never hurts, neither does doing your part to make something happen.
Congratulations on capturing images of those Harlequin Ducks, James. A fine way to finish your big year 2024. I like the story behind their naming as well.
Thank you Neil. Definitely feels fitting for the end of my big year. Just absurdly handsome little ducks. It was cool to learn why they’re called “harlequin”
Such great birds, James, thanks for sharing! I miss Harlequin Ducks - we used to see them frequently when we lived in the PNW, but I haven’t seen one yet in Maine. Someday!
Thank you Sydney! Your photography prowess with the Harlequin Duck’s beauty and the backdrop of the Maine coast would make for incredible images! The Maine coast does have a Harlequin appeal—I hope you see them up there soon.
My Dad loved mallard ducks had all types of decoys✌️Happy New Year
That’s awesome! Happy New Year to you as well.
Been sitting on this post. Just poured a coffee and savored it. A+ words and photos. I remember my first Harlequin Ducks. A quartet in Cleveland bobbing in rough waters. That encounter got an A+, in part because I had just dipped on a Slaty-backed Gull. Happy New Year, James!
Thank you so much, and Happy New Year to you as well, Nathaniel! I read your year in review but want to do the same thing--let it sit, read it again, then chime in. Your Harlequin Duck encounter definitely sounds like an A+, but I want to hear the story of this Slaty-backed Gull now. A special gull to a special duck. Even if the former didn't go as planned, it led to the latter. That's what birding dreams are made of (warbler this, raptor that, but people overlook the ducks and gulls).
The Slaty-backed was confirmed in Cleveland in March 2023. That was enough of a rarity to get me to drive the two hours the next day. Conditions were terrible on Lake Erie. Wind, rain, and cold. Still, I saw a gull that looked like a match. I snapped some photos and moved on to the Harlequins. Got those easy, which I was grateful for. I put the gull photos out for ID help on Twitter, but the consensus was a likely Great Black-backed. Oh well. It would have been a D+ sighting at best anyway.
Those are stunning photos. What a way to end with a bang!
Halibut Point brings SO many great memories for me. It’s one of my favorite places.
Thank you Teyani. It was a special spot, I had never been there before. I’ll have to go back in the warmer weather.
The Harlequin Duck’s resilience and beauty truly shine through your words and lens. What a rewarding end to the year—thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much, Mohika. I think this duck’s beauty is enhanced by its resilience. Thank you for reading and commenting!
Beautifully captured in writing and via camera...my first Harlequins were from a Zodiac off Haida Gwai in 1992. I never tire of seeing them. May 2025 bring you birds and joy.
Thank you Marian, i wish you the same in 2025.
Happy New Year, James! The effort you went through to find these amazing ducks really shows. The mist and fog, the low visibility almost makes the ducks look mystical. It’s wild to learn that they favor rough conditions. I used to work in veterinary surgery, lots of orthopedics and even though that is a really hands on occupation, we always talked about animals healing on their own in the wild. I haven’t seen Harlequins in the PNW, but this past week I did see a leucistic Mallard drake. He seemed protected by the flock.
Happy new year, Heidi! A leucistic Mallard must be something special to see! I’ve never seen one but would be thrilled. Veterinary surgery sounds very hands on and very rewarding.
Thanks, James. There's also a pair of American Wigeons hanging out with the Mallards. It took me a few hours to figure out that I had seen a leucistic Mallard and I was pretty stunned when I realized what the little guy really is.
Sounds like you are having quite the waterfowl winter, Heidi! Keep me updated about what else you see! A leucistic Mallard might take the cake, but ducks are full of surprises.
I love that comment, that ducks are full of surprises! I’m within 5 miles of a NWR so that might be to my advantage. I’ll keep you posted!
Your enthusiasm is palpable and infectious
That is high praise! Thank you, Kollibri.
Congratulations James and Happy New Year! I've never seen Harlequin Ducks in the wild. I ended my 2024 with a life bird -- a Neotropic Cormorant here in Texas.
Amazing! Congratulations, Sandra! A fitting end to the year. I’ve only ever seen Double-crested and Great Cormorants, I’d love to add Neotropic to my life list and also Brandt’s. Were you able to take photos?
It was very foggy but l did get good enough shots for identification. Will be posting Texas shots after l get home on Saturday and start sorting through them.
wonderful piece and I thank you. May your new year bring adventures and surprises
Thank you so much Nettie, may your new year bring the same—and any other positivity you hope for.
They are beautiful, and I'm glad your adventure was satisfying.
They are so beautiful. Thank you Thomas.
James, Congratulations on the wonderful harlequin duck sighting and photos! You've definitely had a great year for birding. Here's to another big year for you in 2025!
Thank you so much Pamela, wishing you a great year, birds and otherwise!
Thanks James! I know there are some birds and other good things waiting for me this year.