Days like this do make me dream of a DSLR I will admit.  But today my goal was to try a setting on the camera other than auto.  I probably should have played with the aperture priority as it was very overcast and I wasn’t taking flight shots but I had chosen sports mode for this day.

Eastern Passage was full of sea ducks today, and also some very cool wildlife I have not seen before today.

I’ve been chasing a good photo of the Long-tailed Ducks for some time now alas they really do not come close to shore so this photo shows the limitations of my camera.  I can get the shot, but it’s not clear.  These are lovely creatures and I would someday like to do them justice but for now I am happy to have them in fit to frame at least.

There were 4 Long-tailed Ducks today swimming with a group of 4 Surf Scoters and 1 White-winged Scoter.

Also the first raft of Scaup I’ve seen this winter in the Passage.  I’m working on the ID but my first thought is they are Greater Scaup although there may be some Lesser in there as well, or they could be all Lesser.  Always feel free to get in touch with ID ideas I’m not always right!

This certainly was the best show of sea life I’ve seen on the Shore Road in weeks and a nice treat for the holiday.

Happy New Year and all the best in 2016.