Monday, May 11, 2009

Redhead Update



The lone Redhead male still remains at the local lake long after his brethren continued on their spring migration. When I visited the lake Sunday afternoon I observed the Redhead quite some distance from the shore diving occasionally.


Today when I approached the Redhead, instead of flying, he evaded by executing an explosive powerful dive. Hoping he would pop back up near the boat, I stayed in the area for about ten minutes with no sign of his reappearance.

Why this duck has remained here is a mystery. I have seen him fly on a number of occasions although he never flies more than a couple of hundred yards before settling back on the lake surface. Perhaps he has a minor injury that impairs his long distance flight or perhaps he is lost. Whatever his reason for remaining here is I will probably never know but his presence has been an unexpected bonus giving me more photographic opportunities and another point of interest during each lake visit.


10 comments:

CountryDreaming said...

Unexpected visitors like this duck are always a treat. Love how this Redhead "drops in" to the water!

Meggie said...

It will be interesting to follow this guy during the summer months, provided he sticks around.

Mel said...

Hola Salty,
Awesome second shot! Hope you solve the mistery of the staying duckie ;)

Ken Conger Photography said...

He seems to be a migrating slacker Coy. Since he does not have a mate by now, appears he has no incentive to fly to Canada. Nice capture. Blue Skies.

Chris said...

Hi,
Well sometime it does happen that they stay in some place without real explanation. This was the case with a bufflehead this winter which stayed in Iceland for month and then he left beginning of this month!!!
I love your pictures, there are very nice and sharp, but I have to say that the second one is a marvelous one. You got the diving very well! Well done.

Montanagirl said...

That's a great shot of him diving. I guess we as humans, will never really know some of the mysteries of our wild counterparts, or why they do what they do.Great capture!

photowannabe said...

I love your unsolved mystery. What a beautiful bird and the action shot of him diving is super.
Its always a pleasure to visit your blog Salty.

imac said...

2 great shots but that dive is just fab Salty.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Salty: Perfect timing on the dive.

Animal Lover said...

I've had the pleasure of seeing this red head up close in my creek. How beautiful. I hope he or she visits again!! Northeastern Pa.