Waterfowl shots have became more difficult to come by lately as the duck at the local wetlands learn my habits avoiding those spots where I can set up. Even with the more difficult conditions I am still getting the occasional image, like this wood duck male, that makes the wait worthwhile. Even when the birds do not cooperate the time spent is still enjoyable listening to the whistles of the wood ducks, the quacks of the mallards, and the guttural growling call of the hooded mergansers.
A female Hooded Merganser swims rapidly across a narrow opening with her crest erect. And what a crest it is. I tend to think of these ducks as the duck with a paint brush bristling out on top of their heads.
I'm already looking forward to when in a few weeks ducklings will begin hatching, beginning a new phase of my waterfowl photography season.
Coy, these last two photo's are absolutely awesome. You're getting me hooked on these quackers.
ReplyDeleteThe Hooded merganser looks like a teen I saw at the fair last summer but the merganser is missing tattoos.
ReplyDeleteGreat photograph. I'm glad you were patient.
nellie
Both of these are gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI'm doing a bit of catch-up after being in Washington for a week. You've had some lovely captures, and I think the wood duck is the best. Your framing job really adds to a gorgeous photo! A few Canada Geese arrived here at Creamer's Field yesterday so our spring migration is just beginning.
ReplyDeleteNice work as always. It is amazing how the ducks learn our habits even when using blinds.
ReplyDeleteCoy: Love both the duck shots, truly beautiful.
ReplyDeleteLove the photo of the Hooded Merganser. Such sharpness in all your photographs.
ReplyDelete