wood ducks

We have 3 mated pairs in our pond this year, up from one last year. Last year they returned to our central Michigan home on the 21st of Feb. This year, with the longer winter, they showed up March 21st. If last year is any indicator, we should have some ducklings in about 3 weeks. But because...

Every time I see wood ducks, I am in wonder at what an artist nature can be.

A cold, windy, dark morning but the reflections on the snowy bank and the ducks will inspire a painting.

This female looks a bit skeptical to whatever it is the drake is trying to whisper into her ear ;)

Mum, Dad and 12 headaches

Wood ducks along the Erie Canal Trails near Syracuse New York Aperture 6.5, ISO 1600, Shutter Speed 1/320

More from Santee Lakes. Wood ducks in bright sun, paddling along. Not a first, but possibly a "best-so-far". For once I managed to track pretty well and keep the image sharp. Probably due in no small part to the bright sun, which must have kept the shutter speed waaaaay down.

Two types of ducks fly in to our pond, Wood and Mallard. It's very hard to earn the trust of these Wood Ducks compared to the Mallards. This was taken from about where I'm sitting now, about 150 feet. There's actually some there right now as I type.

I don't know if these birds mate for life, but through experience I do know they have strong bonds.

Some drake malards had just flown in and our pond is really to small for everyone to get along.

It was either this or "The Men's Club."

Taken at the farthest reach of my walk around lens. Not the sharpest, but the color is good. It took some post processing work to balance out the exposure.

So madam wood duck waddled away from her nasty neighbor and sought comfort from mr. wood duck, only to find another lady mallard cuddling up to him on the other side. Is mr. wood duck being promiscuous, or are the lady mallards just dreaming of partners in technicolor?

A painting of a group of wood ducks swimming through a secluded backwater.

A painting of a wood duck swimming calmly through a backwater. I was watching this male when the sun broke and it just illuminated his colors... had to paint that.

Here's a little different mix than I've got before.

Always a gamble to say "this is my best shot" of this or that bird, but I have to say I've taken thousands of frames of Wood Ducks from our yard over seven years, and BF Members have been subjected to 'em regularly! I think this's my favorite, as the pair defend their prime perch...

Just dropping in to say hi to everyone, wishing well to all my old buds and all you great lovers of wildlife and photography. Wishing you all a great 2009.

wood ducks

Taken from my kayak one early morning last Spring. I love to shoot birds from this low angle on the water.

Wood ducks and mallards find a flooded area to hide out...

Two pairs of Wood Ducks up in a tree. I think they're looking for nesting sites. Aix sponsa at Lindo Lake, Lakeside, CA, 03-01-07, Canon 20D 400/f5.6L. http://www.picturetrail.com/marysan

Well, I guess the one-legged perching means the cold weather is with us now.. makes a good couples shot.