entry smap 270: Common Eider

Common Eider Somateria mollissima are resident sea ducks along the coast here. the unique shape of their heads give them a distinct fun personality or appearance of an attitude. the long beak forms almost a straight line from the top of the head which makes them easy to identify even from a distance. i took these photos in February when they were in their winter plumage. the first shot is a loveable juvenile male in it's first winter, with a mottled pattern. adult males are completely black and white

this next shot is a female, i can't be sure it's an adult but i think so. while their shape and size are similar to males, their camouflage brown plumage is far different

i believe this third shot of the group includes an adult female, presumably the mother of the two juvenile males and a juvenile female but i may be wrong

anyway it's always a pleasure to see them. when approaching the water's edge in rocky terrain they can often be heard before spotted. though the pleasant cooing sound is rather soft it carries far over the water. they are particularly well adapted to cold conditions with down that has proven to be the most insulating natural material anywhere. they mostly nest close to the water on the rocky islets just offshore from the mainland