I found a good number of Long-tailed ducks feeding in Indian River Inlet this afternoon. These guys breed in the Arctic in the summer but wears their 'breeding' plumage in the winter, luckily for us. They are beautiful ducks that can dive as deeply as 200 feet, and stay under water for a long time. In the inlet they were feeding along the jetty rocks and seemingly enjoying the sunny, breezy, cold afternoon. This drake took off right in front of me after a short run on the water and I am very thankful that he did. His long tail feathers make it obvious how it got its name.
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Tony Pratt is the administrator of the Shoreline and Waterway Management Section of Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. He is a scientist and naturalist, well versed in nature study.
Pratt is a lifelong photographer who has worked closely with Kevin Fleming since 2007. His interests in photography range from wildlife and landscapes to portraiture work.
His photography can be seen at www.tonypratt.com and at the Kevin Fleming and Friends Gallery, 239 Rehoboth Ave. in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
