Synchronized swimmers

   

Driving along the Bodega Harbor shoreline this afternoon, these ducks caught my eye.  

Here's a view from the side while they were feeding with their heads submerged:

 

 

 

Sometimes I see Northern Shovelers (Spatula clypeata) on the east side (Doran Beach side) of Bodega Harbor, but I haven't noticed them as often on the west side.  Perhaps they were trying to find a more sheltered spot out of the wind today?

 

 

 

 

Northern Shovelers aren't known to nest commonly in Sonoma County, so these birds will probably be leaving the coast soon (for inland breeding sites) or perhaps they're considering staying somewhere local?