02 January 2014

Hardheads

Since the mercury was resting on 39 degrees celcius today, and steamy with it, all I could think of for posting was something with water in it.  I knew I had some photos still from Centennial Park in Sydney, with more of the Hardheads. 
 
According to Birds in Backyards "The Hardhead is only found in Australia, though is occasionally seen in New Guinea and other islands".


Male, with the white eyes 




Female


in the late afternoon sun

 
 
Later addition:  39 degrees celcius (or centigrade), is equal to 102.2 degrees fahrenheit; that's still warm! 

28 comments:

Irma said...

What a nice pictures Carole.
What's hot out there, 39 degrees, I should not think this.
Here it is too warm for the winter, now about 8 degrees, normally it should freeze.

Ramakrishnan said...

The hardheads are really cooling off in the sweltering Sydney heat. Nice images.

Joop Zand said...

Lovely new header and very nice duck pictures.

Greetings, Joop

eileeninmd said...

It is super cold here, I would love some warm air.. Love the cute ducks! Great post and photos. Have a happy day!

Carole M. said...

39 degrees celcius (or centigrade) is equal to 102.2 degrees fahrenheit

David M. Gascoigne, said...

A tad too hot for me!!

Unknown said...

Thankfully we are having a bit of light relief from the heat at the moment. More to come next week, talking in the 40's. It's times like these I miss the water. The ducks sure are enjoying it. Stay cool Carole.

Shaun said...

Lovely birds, but that males eyes dont half freak me out. !

TexWisGirl said...

i like their deep brown colors. stay cool if you can!

Brian King said...

Beautiful ducks! I've never heard of them. Their name reminds me of some people! LOL!

John @ Beans and I on the Loose said...

A nice desert temperature. The white eyes of the male look out of place.

Montanagirl said...

Very pretty! Have never heard of them. We have only 8 degrees here and lots of snow!

DeniseinVA said...

Love your ducks here Carole, great photos! Happy New Year and happy blogging in 2014 :)

EG CameraGirl said...

39°C is warm all right! It was -22°C here this morning. That's quite a contrast, right? ;) I don't think I have ever seen a duck with white eyes.

NatureFootstep said...

never heard of that duck before. It looks great. :)

Helma said...

Really beautiful ducks Carole and also very beautiful in color and drawing. A friend of mine moved to Australia in September, and he also wrote that he would celebrate with 40 degrees!!!! Christmas
Also for you a very beautiful, happy, healthy and especially photogenic 2014. We again many beautiful (natural) moments may enjoy. In this new year.

mick said...

A very nice series on the Hardheads. Our heat is similar to yours - and I don't even have the energy to get down to the water!

Jan Castle said...

WHEW! But, great duck pics!
Jan

Merlesworld said...

The white eyes are different and yes it's hot here.
Merle.........

diane b said...

Great light and texture in these shots. The different coloured eyes is an interesting fact. 43° here today!!!

Seraphinas Phantasie said...

Marvelous photos of both ducks.
Great !

Phil Slade said...

Good to hear you're getting your diaries up to date Carole. Of course I leave all that birthday stuff to my better half, my page-a-day just for birding.

Great shots of the Hardhead- much like our Pochard. Sue says I'll be needing a hardhead if I go birding too much.

Bob Bushell said...

Superb eyes, always looking at you.

Dianne said...

That's a hot day Carole ... no wonder you've chosen beautiful water captures. I'll send a little cooler weather East.
Hoping year 2014 brings with it much joy.

Christian Perrin said...

I love Hardheads and I do believe they have become much more common over the years - any given pond now usually has an equal amount of HH's and Pacific Black Ducks. When I was growing up, the PBD's outnumbered all other ducks easily. But I hate the name Hardhead! Apparently it's a shooting nickname, but the name 'White-Eyed Duck' really only applies to the male, so it's not perfect either!

Kenneth Cole Schneider said...

Well that is a new duck for me! Happy New Year!

Deanna said...

Beautiful pics of the Hardheads...we are just the opposite, almost 100 degrees different in our temps.
Here is the link to that snow word art... http://www.designerdigitals.com/digital-scrapbooking/supplies/product_info.php/products_id/13262

Ida said...

What a pretty duck. Love the brown color. Funny that the male has a white colored eye.