Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Wetlands Wood Ducks

Our weather took a decided turn for the better today with bright sunshine and temps rising to about 70F. After supper this evening, with an hour of sunlight left, I decided to visit the local wetland.




Geese were honking loudly as I left the car and as I rounded a bend in the path I spied a pair of Wood Ducks feeding in a large puddle. As the ducks around here know all to well the dangers that humans present, I crouched and crawled using all available cover to approach as close as possible without alarming them.



A closer crop gives a better view of the colorful male


Even though I was 30-40 yards away the clicking of the camera quickly drew the male’s attention. Seemingly unalarmed he swam to his mate and both quickly disappeared into the flooded willows.




During the course of my short visit I also observed several Ring-necked Ducks, a pair of Hooded Mergansers along with a number of pairs of Canada Geese. The beauty of the evening was marred by the stench of burning plastic as someone nearby burned their garbage, flooding virtually the entire wetland with the acrid odor.

7 comments:

  1. I love the looks of these colorful ducks.I am still waiting to see them this year.
    Blessings,Ruth

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  2. Nice! I envy your ability to crawl through the grass to sneak up on these guys. I think I should have taken up photography when I was much yonger.

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  3. No doubt about it, this is the most colorful duck I have ever seen. I seldom get around water anymore and never saw one like it though I suppose they are around here too.

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  4. Nothing like getting out in the spring photographing birds. I don't know about you but when the weather gets like this I feel reborn and alive again. I get one more night shift in and it will be time for me to get all stealth like you and hunt birds.

    Have a great Easter, Brad.

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  5. Coy

    Nice shots of my favorite duck. They are very shy and you did great getting the sneak on him

    jim

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  6. My favourite duck! And you've captured them beautifully!

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  7. Very exotic like the Mandarin. Well done for getting shots of this timid species. FAB.

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Thanks again
Coy