DaveH

By DaveH

Eider

Having seen Caz's Shashins' blip a couple of days ago, I noted there was a big raft of about 40 eider (Somateria mollissima) in the Leith docks; so I decided shamelessly to get down there and photograph them myself, like a big copycat!
The birds are in their full breeding plumage, and I think the drakes are among the handsomest ducks there are. A little flotilla ventured up the Prince of Wales Dock, passing some of the giant and bright machinery on the way.

As an aside, eiderdown is collected from their nests after the ducklings have left; the female plucks it out from her own breast to line the nest-cup.

EDIT TO ADD: Off radar for a couple of days, back Sunday, will catch up commenting then

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