Hey everyone-

This morning, Kevin Graff and I left Baltimore at 6am for Cambridge, and were not disappointed.  The ducks put on a great showing, especially the Goldeneye (my personal favorite of the three).  We first arrived just before 8:00 am, and were immediately put on the Eurasian Wigeon in the water next to the parking lot.  We saw the Wigeon one more time during our two-hour stay, but when we left at 10:00am, it was not being seen.  The Goldeneye was a little skittish, as previously noted, but every time that it flew, it would just circle around and then return to the marina.  

As for the Tufted Duck, while I did get to see it, and am ecstatic about it, I have to comment on a few bird photographers who may have overstepped their boundaries.  It took me three tries to find the duck in the time we were there, because each of the first two times that I was almost on it, a bird photographer was moving too close in order to get a better picture, and flushed the bird.  The bird then hid on the outside edge of the concrete barrier, out of view,  for the better part of two hours.  It finally came out towards the end of our stay, but while I was lingering back with most of the birders and only trying for an ID shot, a photographer decided to keep pressing towards the bird, and flushed it.  I am also a bird photographer, but I consider myself more a birder then a photographer.  Therefore, it is more important for me to see the bird than get a picture, and if I do have a chance at a picture, I care more about ID shots than frame-filling portraits (though they are always nice :) ).  I'm really just excited I got to see these birds, as were the rest of the birders with me. 

Anyway, it was a great morning, probably one of the best I have ever had in my time as a birder.  I had a great time meeting a bunch of great birders, and more importantly, extremely nice people.  Good luck to anyone who goes after this great waterfowl trio.  It's turning out to be one fantastic winter!!!

Photos of the Goldeneye and some other Cambridge waterfowl are up at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nicobirdphotos/

Good birding,

Nico Sarbanes
Baltimore