Northern Shoveler

When I got down to Thalia Point, I could see ice covering Thurston Branch and Buchanan Creek shore to shore. I figured that waterfowl would be elsewhere. But, when I got up on Thalia Island, I found well over 100 birds in open water at the mouth of Thurston Branch. Most were geese and mallards, and a flock of ruddy ducks, the usual buffleheads, and the odd merganser. As I shot away, I noticed a lone strange duck, a female shoveled. I've only seen two other shovelers, both males in this part of the Lynhaven.