European wigeon arrive in tens of thousands around the Moray Firth during October, most move on further south for the winter. At this time of the year most of the drakes still retain some of their eclipse plumage from the summer. At low tide they graze far out on the eel-grass beds, well out of camera range. As the tide rises a few come close inshore to drink and graze on the salt marshes, giving an opportunity to get close enough for a photograph.