Dressed for the Long Flight Home

Common Goldeneye -- Oakland/Alameda Estuary, Oakland, CA
Canon EOS Rebel T5i, EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM, ISO: 1000, f/5.6, 1/2000s

I saw a small flock of common goldeneyes hanging out under the Fruitvale Bridge this morning.  That's not exactly uncommon.  They looked different, though.  Scruffier.  Less colorful.

Compared to their winter plumage, they look like they've dressed down to their sweatpants in preparation for the long flight North.  The green on their head is gone and the sharp black and white lines have been replaced by brown head feathers and an almost mottled look on their back and wings.  We don't get to see this look much in California.  I'm guessing they are just about ready to fly away for the season.