ML626751771

Observation details

Possibly 4, in tight group. I’m struggling with distance. 4 smallish diving ducks, briefly joined bufflehead flock but continued swimming on. Were a hair bigger than buffleheads. One I’m calling for sure I could just make out the whitish head and neck with dark cheek smudge spot. Small stubby bill, other thee similar looking but darker heads and I just can’t make out enough detail. But probably female/immatures since structure and behavior is so close to the male.They picked up and flew. I lost them in glare. Will try to refind PS added later: Did refind a couple hours later. Very satisfying scope views, and later it was five birds! Distant photos added from later observation from the dam. These are distant poor photos, but they don't hurt the observation. Also, I added in field notes, but not in initial field written eBird report - in flight I noticed the birds did not appear to have any speculum or wing patch (dark wings) and on the birds I saw in flight they had a dark, almost Calidris-like blackish line up center of rump/lower back that was flanked or edged by bright white. Seemed odd/unfamiliar to me for a duck pattern, but was very bold. Later saw in book LTDU's - at least males - have that