Harlequin Duck, Histrionicus histrionicus
Harlequin Ducks nest along fast-flowing streams, and the river by the Kougarok Road heading north from Nome fits that description. They are also rarely seen and supposed to be easily spooked, so I and my three photographer companions were both glad to see these six ducks swim rapidly by us down the river, and resigned to the fact that if we hadn't been ready with our cameras when they came into view, we'd have to make do with memories. So we were delighted and stunned when after the ducks disappeared around a bend downstream, we saw them swimming back up against the current and into our view! We took advantage and all got pictures, in my case not very good ones, but I'm happy to have even these.
