Northern Shovelers at Prescott's Willow Lake

I wasn't disappointed when I returned to Willow Lake in Prescott last Friday, close to the same date a year ago when I was excited to spot a large flock of wintering northern shovelers there.   Even with lower water levels due to an exceptionally dry and mild winter throughout the state, it looked like the long-billed ducks were thriving on the lake's diminished area of aquatic real estate.  Below are just a few pictures from my short visit to the reservoir and the shovelers' seasonal habitat.

View of Willow Lake with a flock of northern shovelers on a point of land in the foreground.

Closer view of northern shovelers.

Male and female northern shovelers in flight - mostly due to my approaching them with the camera.

Male and female northern shovelers in flight.

Male northern shoveler landing on Willow Lake.

Female and male northern shoveler on Willow Lake in Prescott.

Two other winter visitors - a pair of buffleheads - in flight over Willow Lake.  It was my first time seeing this species.

One more winter visitor - a male northern pintail - on Willow Lake in Prescott.

A type of sandpiper, a year-round resident.

Killdeer, another year-round resident at Willow Lake.

A western meadowlark that seemed to enjoy the additional grasslands created by the low lake level.

Two western meadowlarks close to Willow Lake's shores.  They're year-round residents.

Rufous-crowned sparrow, a year-round resident of the grassy areas around Willow Lake.

Both male and female red-winged blackbirds, year-round residents.  Their unique vocalizations filled the landscape on my short winter outing to Willow Lake in Prescott.