Dan,

In addition to Matt's comments, the flight shot shows a wide white wing 
patch, which is also consistent with Common. The rest of the wing 
pattern is not really discernible and this doesn't help much, but I 
think the width of the patch is enough to eliminate Barrow's on that 
shot alone.

Ed

Dan Haas wrote:
> Evening all,
>
> I've posted the photos of this odd Goldeneye on my blog:
> http://wahzoh.blogspot.com/2009/12/odd-goldeneye-in-queen-annes-county.html
>
> Happy Holidays,
>
> Dan Haas
> West Annapolis, MD
> 
>
>
> On Thu, Dec 17, 2009 at 8:55 PM, Dan Haas <> wrote:
>   
>> My $.02 isn't worth a nickel!
>>
>> Matt Hafner pointed out that the bird's bill is too big and the head
>> shape points to a Common Goldeneye.  When I was looking at the bird,
>> the massive bill kept me guessing. That is why I defer to those with
>> more experience.  It's an interesting bird indeed. Matt pointed out
>> that there was a Common Goldeneye a few years back at Conowingo with a
>> yellow-orange bill.  I looked at the photos:
>> http://www.flickr.com/photos/odephoto/391489377/in/set-72157612078244077/
>>
>> ...and think that this is exactly the look of the QA goldeneye.
>>
>> I need to get back to shopping with my wife.  But for those
>> interested, Jackson Landing road is in QA county, just pass the Kent
>> Narrows bridge on the North side. It's easiest to get there if one is
>> driving Westbound on 50/301.
>>
>> Best,
>>
>> Dan
>>
>> On Thursday, December 17, 2009, Dan Haas <> wrote:
>>     
>>> Folks,
>>>
>>> I dropped by late this afternoon to investigate.
>>>
>>> The bird was there and it was bitter, bitter cold.
>>>
>>> It sure looks like a fem Barrow's Goldeneye to me.  I took some
>>> extremely distant photos that I'll post to my blog later tonight.
>>> First, Christmas shopping.
>>>
>>> I sent the pics to Mr Hafner and Mr Hubick for their $.02.
>>>
>>> But, that's my $.02.  Happy holidays.
>>>
>>> Dan Haas
>>> West Annap
>>> 
>>>
>>> On Tuesday, December 15, 2009, Harry Armistead
>>> <> wrote:
>>>       
>>>> I didn't feel like stumbling out to my car last night after I got the 10P.M. call about this bird, but in today's mild temperatures and daylight my 1987 Queen Annes County ADC atlas shows Jackson Creek at coordinates C2&C3 on Map 24, which is n. of Rt. 50, e. of the Narrows, and w. of Grasonville on Kent I.  Jackson Creek Marina is not in the index so I assume it postdates 1987.  Good luck in nailing this odd duck.  Best to all. - Harry Armistead.
>>>>
>>>>         
>
>