There is a small pond at Stu Visser Trails where usually Mallards gather in late fall. On this November day we quickly counted the “Mallards” for our eBird checklist, and I took photos of the ducks when the sunlight emphasized the feather patterns and colors. Another aspect of this photo I like is the light refraction from the water flowing from her beak.
A little later I downloaded my photos not paying close enough attention to the size and shape of the bill on this bird but briefly thought the beak looked large for a Mallard. I was in a hurry to get through my photos so I continued looking through them getting them ready to post to our eBird checklist.
Another birder’s checklist shortly after ours indicated a female Northern Shoveler. Then it registered with me that we saw this bird too and I reviewed my photos. This is the closest we have ever been to a female Northern Shoveler.