Loch Ness Duck #WordlessWednesday

I was intending to write a 50 word story today, inspired by a fellow blogger, Adela, over at Black Tortoise Press, and her "Fifty Word Wednesday".   But it didn't work out this week.  Sorry, Adela.

Instead, I want to talk about the Loch Ness Duck.

It's in the lower center near bottom of page

OK, this photo wasn't taken in Scotland. And it's definitely not the Loch Ness Monster but it reminded me of Nessie.  No, it was taken along the Susquehanna River just outside Johnson City, New York on October 3. It's a waterfowl. It might be a diving duck, but I am not sure it is even a duck. (Please note we are only beginning birders!)

We just can't ID it, even after looking at our trusty bird guide and a couple of birding websites.  It didn't spend that much time above the water, as it dove constantly.  It had a long neck and you couldn't see much else, with all the diving.

We saw a similar waterfowl on Seneca Lake the end of August and watched that bird, and this one, for a while. Both times, the bird was feeding in deeper waters (not along the shore) by diving, and then coming up feet from where it dove. 

On Sunday, after it fed, it floated down the river a bit.  Then, the bird finally raised itself up, flapping vigorously and showing all black wings.  Finally, it flew, just feet above the water, down the center of the river, against the current, and out of our sight.  I know colors can be deceptive, depending on light and other factors, and individual birds can differ in color.  But to us, it looked all black, including the wings, which we saw when it raised itself up in the water and flapped.

Can anyone give us a helpful hint?

 

Joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for her #WordlessWednesday.