Did You Know? (Butterballs)

Posted on January 6, 2012 by

That buffleheads are sometimes called butterballs?  This species has a low, swift flight and unlike most divers, they can fly straight up from a watery takeoff.  They are challenging to photograph up close because they dive or take off as soon as they see you lift up your camera.  Maybe they think it is a gun, although I can’t imagine they are hunted, they are so small and incredibly cute. 

E.J. Lefavour

About E.J.

Artist, researcher, spiritual traveler of this fascinating orb we inhabit, lover of life and all it has to offer. Hi everyone out there in GMG land. My name is Ellen “E.J.” Lefavour (a/k/a “Ejay Khan” – the pseudonym I used during my years as a political activist artist). I am a newcomer to Cape Ann, and thrilled to be a new contributor to Good Morning Gloucester. I am a painter and photographer who has lived and worked as an artist for 20 years, since leaving the corporate world in 1990 to pursue my passion. My contributions to GMG will consist of images (either my paintings, photographs, or the occasional video) and a little history about the image, called “Did you Know?” I hope to come up with tidbits of information that people don’t already know, or had forgotten they knew. As I am new here, everything is new and fascinating to me, especially the amazing history, so bear with me if I post something that is common knowledge – I’ll eventually come up with something that’s new to you. Please take a minute to comment on my posts, like them or not, especially if you have corrections or something to add, as that is how I, and all of us, learn. Have a Good Morning Gloucester, and a blessed day.
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11 Responses to Did You Know? (Butterballs)

  1. Kathy Chapman says:
    January 6, 2012 at 3:55 pm

    A flock of them were out on Pirates Cove yesterday.

    Reply
  2. John R Reilly says:
    January 6, 2012 at 4:12 pm

    They are probably the most easiest duck to identify. Every winter we have dozens of them Good pics Joey !

    Reply
  3. Sarah in Gloucester says:
    January 6, 2012 at 5:10 pm

    I just love the wildlife here in beautiful Gloucester! We have the Annasquam River view plus the Harbor view.., just very gorgeous wildlife all around us. I feel quite blessed :)

    Reply
  4. Sarah in Gloucester says:
    January 6, 2012 at 5:11 pm

    p.s. I choose Butterballs vs. Bufflehead lol

    Reply
  5. E.J. says:
    January 6, 2012 at 6:18 pm

    Yes, we are quite blessed, and I like Butterballs better as a name for them too.

    Reply
  6. debny01930 says:
    January 6, 2012 at 9:00 pm

    Ever since we moved up to Gloucester last March, I’ve been wondering what the name for those ducks were. I’ve looked in my bird book but couldn’t find them. I always see several of them by Stage Fort Park. Thanks E.J.

    Reply
  7. Leslie Y. De Vaney says:
    January 7, 2012 at 12:30 pm

    Great “close up” shots, E.J.

    I’m not familiar with them, but they sure look cuddly. I see “horizontal” penguins, lol.

    Reply
  8. Bill Hubbard says:
    January 7, 2012 at 12:40 pm

    We have them down here all summer in prodigeous numbers. But, they are hunted along the Atlantic Flyway.

    Reply
  9. Vicki says:
    January 9, 2012 at 10:53 am

    I love them! Where do I find them, they’re so cute :-)

    Reply
  10. Vicki says:
    January 9, 2012 at 10:53 am

    Look a little like Puffins.

    Reply
  11. E.J. says:
    January 9, 2012 at 12:47 pm

    Vicki, I normally see them in protected water areas, like Lobster Cove, Goose Cove, Smith’s Cove, Kathy Chapman said she saw them at Pirates Cove, and I saw some this weekend along Eastern Point Blvd.
    Bill, I am sad to hear that and a little surprised. They are such small birds I can’t imagine they have much meat, especially after you’ve blown one away with a shotgun.

    Reply

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