Tails of the Ocean - Show Me A Photo Contest Round 224
Living beside the ocean comes with its perks, bird-wise. I get to see different aquatic species that stop by for some refreshments and amenities in the Pacific ocean during their annual migrations north to south and back.
For this edition (224) of #SMaP photo contest, the theme is birds and water. I got plenty of those, so I chose a few that I think fit the bill. 😊
The chosen one is at the last one.

Notice the pointy back of the head on the male. This is a feature of the species.
I may have seen these birds before, but it isn't until recently that I properly IDed it as grebes. They're either Clark's or Western grebes, two species that are difficult to distinguish. There is a male and a female. The male has a noticeable crest at the back of the head, which it raises when excited.

Some ducks are residents all year round, and you can often find them in ponds and lakes. They also like to take a bath in the ocean now and then. This is a group of mallards out for a lazy day in the calm water.

A pair of Barrow's Goldeneye are out on a date at the beach in the next shot. The ocean was choppy that day though, so it must've been a stormy affair.

The ocean is not all about pirates, krakens, and bewitching sirens. Sometimes, the ocean is just a nice place to hang out with your fam and watch the sunset.

I don't have the name of the species for the following bird. I remember that I did identify it at some point, but I lost my notes. I believe it's a cinnamon teal, a rare species around these parts. Although, I'm scant on details, I chose this particular watery shot for the contest because of its visual appeal. I liked the way the rocks, splashing waves, shimmering reflections, and duck came together in dynamic harmony.

Chosen photograph for the #SMaP contest
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
---|---|---|---|
X | InLeo | NFT Showroom |
Certainly, the sea is not only full of enchanting mermaids or pirate ships searching for treasure on remote islands, but as you rightly say, it is a place to admire the water and nature, such as these beautiful species. My favourite is the photograph of the sunset, and those colours in the sky make everything else become beautiful shadows.
But the photograph you chose for the competition is also spectacular. The glints on the water make the bird blend in with the rocks and form a harmonious whole. Well done!!! Hugs!
I have picked this post on behalf of the @OurPick project! Check out our Reading Suggestions posts!
Please consider voting for our Liotes HIVE Witness. Thank you!
Thank you for your thoughtful comment, @avdesing. I took these photos at various times of the year, so the lighting conditions varied. I considered three of them for the contest: the swimming ducks, the sunset, and the cinnamon teal duck. It was difficult to choose. :)
My favourite is the sunset, but they are all beautiful!
Thank you very much! 🦆
It is so nice to live near the ocean. Photos are brilliant.🙂

I enjoy seeing the migrating birds that pass this way and stop for a little while in the ocean. Thank you, @nelinoeva!