RE the discussion of a "molting" or otherwise whitened duck, I have a story I
too would like to get a response to.
Approx one month ago I was on the dike trail at Padilla Bay Refuge. I saw an
all white diving duck in the river alongside the trail. I am not an expert
on identification, but I know that mallards do not dive. This one spent most
of the time under water as it headed away from my observation. It was
smaller than a mallard, had black eyes (not pink), and was definitely all
white --- not streaked or grey.
The only thing I can come up with is an albino of something, but I wonder if
anyone else saw this. Was I dreaming?