It’s always fun to stop by Rock Harbor to see if there are any photo ops. There usually are! This Common Eider and his wife were swimming about the harbor, more interested in preening than fishing. (Click on blog link for other photo.)
Beautiful birds, don’t you think? Such a difference male to female…
Fun fact:
“Eider down, famous for its insulating qualities, is used in large amounts in the nest lining of these ducks, helping to keep the eggs warm in frigid northern climates. In some places, such as Iceland, the down is harvested commercially at coastal ‘eider farms,’ where the wild birds are encouraged to nest in sheltered nooks built for them.”
https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/common-eider