Mike Hudema of Greenpeace delivers two large photographs of tar-covered ducks to Premier Ed Stelmach's spokesman, Jerry Bellikka, at the Alberta legislature Wednesday. (David Bloom, QMI Agency)

EDMONTON - An admission by Premier Ed Stelmach that he had not seen recent photos of dying ducks at a Syncrude tailings pond has ruffled the feathers of Greenpeace.

The environmental group on Wednesday presented Stelmach's spokesman, Jerry Bellikka, with two enlarged photos of tar-covered ducks, hoping the premier would take a look at the images.

They were entered as evidence at the ongoing trial against Syncrude, which faces environmental charges related to the April 2008 incident in which 1,600 ducks died in its Aurora tailings pond.

"It's time he stops hiding from these images. It's time he stops denying that these problems exist and starts admitting the problem," said Mike Hudema, a Greenpeace climate and energy campaigner.

Whether Stelmach has or hasn't seen the images has been a source of controversy at the legislature this week.

On Monday, Stelmach told reporters he had not seen the pictures. The following day, he clarified his remarks, saying he hadn't seen recent photos prior to their admission as evidence in the Syncrude trial.

Stelmach said he saw photos of bitumen-covered ducks in 2008.

On Wednesday, an official said Stelmach saw the evidentiary photos earlier in the day. He was also shown the Greenpeace photos.

NDP Leader Brian Mason also tabled photos of the ducks in the legislature.

"Mostly for the benefit of the premier," he explained, "who can't decide whether he's seen them or not."

Hudema said what's most important is that Stelmach addresses the issue of what caused the tailings pond incident.

frank.landry@sunmedia.ca