Harlequin Duck

Of course when you go someplace "new", you always hope to see certain species.   I had field work to do for work in the Anchorage area in the summer of 2006, and had an extra day or two to do some birding.   I came across this guy on a small, fast, rushing stream near Soldatna, Alaska, very close to where the creek emptied into the ocean.  He remained firmly planted on this rock in the middle of the stream until I'd had my fill of photos, and views, of him.

Photo taken on June 22nd, 2006 near Soldatna, Alaska.