Ring-necked Duck:
In 1897, the American Ornithologists' Union wrote, in their publiction "The Auk" (Vol.XIV): "Known as Canard noir, and Raft-duck."
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The Ring-necked Duck was discovered by Lewis and Clark while on their 1805/1806 exploration of the Columbia River. Captain Lewis wrote up a description of the duck on March 28, 1806, while at Deer Island:
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"... we have seen more waterfowl on this island than we have previously seen since we left Fort Clatsop, consisting of geese, ducks, large swan, and Sandhill crains. I saw a few of the Canvisback duck.
the duckinmallard are the most abundant.
one of the hunters killed a duck which appeared to be the male,
it was a size less than the duckinmallard.
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the beak of this duck is remarkably wide, and is 2 inches in length, the upper chap exceeds the under one in both length and width, insomuch that when the beak is closed the under is entirly concealed by the upper chap.
a narrow strip of white garnishes the upper part or base of the upper chap; this is succeeded by a pale skye blue colour which occupys about one inch of the chap, is again succeeded by a transverse stripe of white and the extremity is of a pure black.
the eye is moderately large the puple black and iris of a fine orrange yellow. the feathers on the crown of the head are longer than those on the upper part of neck and other parts of the head; these feathers give it the appearance of being crested. ..."
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Columbia River near Portland International Airport ...
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Click image to enlarge
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Ring-necked Ducks, males, Columbia River near Portland International Airport.
Weather was cold with heavy winds, starting to drizzle.
Image taken February 28, 2009.
Canon EOS 40d, 400mm.
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Click image to enlarge
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Ring-necked Ducks, two males and one female, heavy swells, Columbia River near Portland International Airport.
Weather was cold with heavy winds, starting to drizzle.
Image taken February 28, 2009.
Canon EOS 40d, 400mm.
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Click image to enlarge
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Ring-necked Duck, male, Columbia River near Portland International Airport.
Image taken April 15, 2009.
Canon Rebel XSi, 300z.
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King's Pond, Vancouver, Washington ...
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Click image to enlarge
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Ring-necked Duck, female, King's Pond, Vancouver, Washington.
Image taken January 3, 2010.
Canon EOS 40d, 400mm.
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Horsethief Lake, Washington ...
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Click image to enlarge
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Ring-necked Ducks, Horsethief Lake Park, Washington.
Columbia Hills State Park.
Image taken September 28, 2011.
Canon t3i, 300mm.
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Ridgefield NWR, Washington ...
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