Re: [Paddlewise] Any birders out there?

Hi Dave,

We get a few diving species like Bufflehead and Surf Scoter, and lots of
dabblers like American Widgeon, Mallard, Gadwall, Northern Shoveler,
Northern Pintail, and Green-winged Teal.  All but the Mallards leave in
the summer.  Your Thai birds sound much more interesting.  I'm partial to
Canvasbacks and Snowy Plovers, but I also like the Bufflehad and Gadwall
for their elegance and chutzpah, respectively.

I have gotten quite close to numerous animals paddling (most recently
within 6' of a Great Blue Heron when in a canoe in the Okeefenokee
Swamp).  Things like Muskrats and Sea Otter and California Sea Lion and
Harbor Seal don't seem to worry about kayaks.  In Alaska and Utah, I've
gotten great views of breeding plumage Red-throated Loons and breeding
Canada Geese, respectively.  But Alameda waterfowl sure have been
skittish in my experience.

Darrell Lee
Alameda, CA
snorkler_at_juno.com

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