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Re: Rain on BBWD parade?

From:

Paul O'Brien

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Wed, 7 Jun 2006 22:13:22 EDT

Not so fast.   Thanks for re-examining the BBWD, but the image you posted 
this morning showed the BBWD standing on its right foot with the left foot lifted 
but visible.   If you look carefully, you can see a very short, pale nail 
protruding from the upper surface of the toe.   This may be all there is.   Check 
Greg Lasley's web site <www.greglasley.net/Black-beWD.html> where he has a 
photo of a pair of BBWDs on a nest box.   The upper one (male?) has a modest 
dark nail.   The lower one (female?) has tiny pale nails.   This may represent a 
sexual dimorphism or simply the extremes that normally occur.   The story may 
continue.   Anybody have any other insights?

Paul O'Brien
Rockville, Mont. Co., MD


In a message dated 6/7/06 6:44:31 PM,  writes:


> At Paul O'Brien's suggestion, I returned to the Rio Pond this PM to 
> closely 
> examine the hind toes of the BBWD.  I made digital images from about  
> fifteen
> feet away with the equivilent of 520mm.
> 
> Both hind toes appear to be about the same length; neither appears to have  
> a
> nail.  In fact, it almost looks like a rounded stub on both toes.
> 
> I checked five reference books to see if there was supposed to be  a nail on
> the hind toe, and could find nothing definitive.  Even in  Kortright's 
> classic
> 1942 book "The Ducks, Geese and Swans of North  America."  Perhaps someone
> with access to a skin or detailed knowledge of  the species can resolve this
> question.
> 
> If in fact there is supposed to be a nail, then I  would conclude that  this
> was a captive duck.  If not, well, then its still up in the air.
> 
> My image .will be sent to those who want to take a look for  themselves.
> 
> Bob Mumford
> Natural Images Photography
> Darnestown
> 301 948 6813
> 
>