A New Year at Brazoria was a good time to take a few photos and start out 2012. The sunrise was sublime. The morning was absolutely still and there wasn’t a ripple on the waters of the marsh.
Some of my old friends were out and about, but not in the numbers that are normally seen with average rainfall. Currently the refuge is pretty dry. In addition many of the visitors wintered other places on the coast. Still an interesting day with bright skies and pleasant temperatures.
Buffleheads are one of my favorite ducks. They are one of the smallest ducks found in North America and can be seen in small flocks in freshwater or saltwater habitat. Buffleheads are cavity nesters and mostly use the holes made by woodpeckers. Buffleheads are diving ducks that feed on insects and crustaceans in freshwater. When found in saltwater habitats, their primary food is likely small crustaceans and mollusks. They are a very active duck and dive frequently to feed. Both of these birds below show the striking green and purple iridescent pattern that denotes breeding plumage male birds.
