"There is a Long-tailed Duck in the pond" was the greeting I received from a fellow patron when I stopped at the park earlier this week. At first I didn't believe what I heard, but as I was led to the location of the sighting this male Long-tailed Duck in winter plumage came into view.
 
My camera lens joined the many others that were already directed at this unusual visitor. At one point the duck came within 20 feet of us, causing those with fixed focal length lenses to scramble backwards with their bulky gear to fit the duck in the frame. After taking enough photos to ensure that I had a few good ones I resigned my camera from the group and went off to inspect the waterfowl situation on the river. I am not one for loitering. As someone I meet often in the field once said of me, "the problem with Chris is every time I turn around he is gone!" The duck stayed in the pond for a few days, leaving just in time for the even bigger crowds to arrive on the weekend.