As many of you probably know Lake Junaluska is experiencing a major draw down of the water. Less than half the lake has water in it and the mud flats exposed aren't pretty. A passer by said this is normal this time of year and allows dredging to remove silt from the lake. In addition to the usual water birds commonly seen at our local lakes and ponds, I have attached a few of the more interesting species observed, at least to me. Though common, a few Great Blue Herons were flying by. An odd bird came in for a landing, I suspect this is Graylag Goose of some kind. Please help me out with this ID. Hooded Mergansers were fairly plentiful and always make a handsome pair. I believe the next species is a Common Merganser, it was very distant and hard to tell. Perhaps the highlight of the day was Golden Eagle circling overhead. And a first for me was seeing a Ruddy Duck! Feel free to correct any mis-identifications. I am fairly new to learning the ducks and other water birds. Take care, Alan Lenk
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JunaluskaGreatBlueHeron.jpg
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JunaluskaLakeHoodedMergM&F.jpg
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LakeJunaluskaComMerganser.jpg
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JunaluskaLakeBaldEagle.jpg
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JunaluskaLakeRuddyDuck.jpg
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