Camera Critters: Muskrats & Wood Ducks

My wildlife photography has been centered around the Wood Duck families in a local wetland lately.  Although the ducklings are the focus of my efforts other critters make themselves available for photographs.

This Muskrat swam right up to my feet as I crouched in hiding at the water's edge.  Realizing something was amiss; it looked up into my eyes and twitched its nose for a few seconds before diving to safety.

The Wood Duck babies are growing rapidly.

This particular duckling did not become alarmed upon hearing the camera's shutter, only mildly curious.

For more Critters of all Kinds

Visit Misty's

Camera Critters Blog

Disappearing Act: Hooded Merganser

A young Hooded Merganser swims past my hide noticing that something is not quite right.

As most of you know the only control of natural lighting the wildlife photographer has is in choosing the location to shoot from. In the case of the wood ducks and mergansers I have been posting lately because of their wariness that control lies solely in the choice of hiding spots. This photograph was taken in the morning from a location I normally consider an evening spot but in this case the backlighting worked to my advantage

 

 
As I began burst firing the Merganser quickly dived beneath the surface apparently leaving the area as I did not see it again during this wetlands visit.

Wood Duck Family Portraits

A recent morning at the local wetlands proved to be very productive.

After changing my shooting location and improving my concealment the Wood Ducks have been much more cooperative. Although the hens are still a wary as ever, having youngsters to look out for has worked to my advantage. I photographed this hen and ducklings as they were passing by no more than twenty feet away.

Another hen with slightly larger ducklings approached from directly in line with the sun; catching me as I slowly turned the camera towards them. Unsure of the movement they had just seen they returned to cover but not before I was able to capture this backlit image.

This hen swam into view some twenty yards away giving me a good first shot complete with a decent reflection. 

The clicking of the camera's shutter drew her attention to me causing her to peer intently in my direction while moving her head from side to side trying to detect what was causing the strange sound.

This is the same family pictured in the first image of this series.  I captured this image as the hen led her little family away after becoming aware of the shutter sounds. 

I never really notice the click of the shutter when shooting scenic, family etc but when photographing wildlife close up the click becomes a loud resounding crash, a sound that wary wildlife such as these Wood Ducks are sure to notice and react to. 

Burns Valley Waterfall

My wife & I were invited to spend the afternoon picnicking at her cousin's cabin.  After too much good food and much good fellowship the decision was made to walk off the calories by hiking to a nearby pond.  Hiking past the pond we crossed a small stream flowing through a culvert.  Looking down stream I noticed that the stream dropped from view and from that point onward the ravine appeared much deeper.  

Totally hidden from view from the road the falls proved to be quite spectacular, certainly worth the short detour from our planned walking route. 

Camera Critters: Wood Ducks

A Wood Duck hen searches for her Family

My arrival at the wetland scattered the Wood Duck family.  After concealing myself I waited quietly for the wildlife to resume their normal habits.  After about an hour the Wood Duck hen returned calling incessantly trying to reassemble her little family.

A pair of Wood Duck males arrived feeding along the water's edge.

And this tiny duckling swam to within a few feet of my hiding spot.  It knew that the clicking going on in the bushes wasn't normal and was brave enough to approach for a closer look.

For more Critters of all Kinds

Visit our friend Misty's

Camera Critters Blog

Wood Ducklings; Two Broods

When this duckling swam past my hiding spot in the wetlands I was surprised at how quickly it had grown.  Only a few days earlier I had photographed duckling that were little more than downy puff-balls and here I could see the beginnings of tail feathers.

A short time later this little duckling swam into view with the answer to the unusual growth rate.  Obviously there are at least two broods of wood duck duckling present with one brood being a little older then the other.

Hooded Merganser Duckling

Last July after encountering a flock of immature Hooded Mergansers on our local wetlands I began wondering if the Hoodies were nesting there.  The question remained without answer until a week and a half ago when I encountered a Hooded Merganser female accompanied by her tiny brood.

This evening I returned to the wetlands in hopes of capturing some good duckling photos and was well rewarded for my efforts with both Hooded Mergansers and Wood Duck ducklings present.

This young Hooded Merganser was the first to swim past my hide.  Even though I was well camo'ed the duckling quickly was alerted to my presence by the sound of the camera shutter.

After fleeing either the same Merganser or one of its brood mates returned.  As you can see this bird has already perfected the merganser hunting method of swimming with eyes submerged allowing it a better view of the underwater realm.

A Green Heron was also hunting the wetland although it never gave me an opportunity to for a photograph.  At one point the heron took flight and apparently decided to land exactly where I was concealed.  As the bird flew through the narrow camera opening in the low growing bushes it realized its mistake and frantically began beating its wings as it made a hasty about face.  The heron was so close I could feel the gust of wind generated by its wings upon my face.  No photo was possible but instead a memory I will carry for some time from an exciting evening in the wetlands!

Pollen

On a windless morning the lake was covered with a layer of pollen.  With grasses, trees, and wild flowers in bloom pollen is everywhere but nothing I have found demonstrates the magnitude of it better than the calm waters of a lake. Crossing the lake, the boat left a trail of clear waters through the scum covered water.   As the day progressed a light wind from the east pushed the pollen to the western shoreline.

As can be seen here the pollen gathered around any obstruction.

An even closer view

Camera Critters: Wetland Critters

What better way to spend a warm sunny spring day than to hang out sunbathing with a waterfront view!

This painted turtle appears totally relaxed sunning its self on the rotting tree.  With water underneath the turtle can slide from its perch, plunging to safety in the blink of an eye.

Perched and the very top of a tree just beginning to leaf this Eastern Kingbird has an excellent view over the surrounding wetlands.

For more Critters of all Kinds

Visit our friend Misty's

Camera Critters Blog

Wood Duck Ducklings

Because of the drizzling overcast skies I didn’t arrive at the wetlands until midmorning. Not knowing what to expect I was elated to see tiny wakes cutting across the water’s surface with a little tuft of down at the apex of each V. Ducklings were crisscrossing the surface busily picking insect from the vegetation. The ducklings were a mix of Wood Ducks and Hooded Mergansers. The duckling pictured here is a Wood Duck.

Ever vigilant, my arrival was quickly noticed by the alert parents who called repeatedly in their attempt to lead their ambitious little charges to safety. The ducklings were slow to respond but soon the little flock disappeared into the surrounding cover. Once the ducklings were safely behind cover the adults flushed followed by the hen demonstrating the “injured duck” behavior in her attempt to lead me away from her young.

Concealing myself behind the willows lining the water’s edge I waited in hopes of the further photo opportunities. I didn’t have long to wait as within thirty minutes, one by one, the little wood duck began to reappear. With a few rays of sun beginning to break through the clouds lighting conditions were improving when I captured this shot as a duckling swam past.