I'd not heard that but did a search and found that, per the rules in the 'front cover application' for Sheeba magazine, if they choose a photo you have submitted to their website they will use your photo on their cover after you pay a fee of $350.
Sheeba Magazine Front Cover Application
Those are good shots Sandy, especially considering you were trying to sneak up on them. :D The ones around here are very timid. Your post reminded me of how excited I was when I first saw a Hooded Merganser. I took me a couple of days to figure out what it was. It's a remarkable little duck.
Thanks for sharing.