Mallard Fight
p.1 #1Mallard Fight
I don't know what these male Mallards were fighting about. There was no female near them and no obvious food source. Tough lighting and a bit more distance than I would have liked yet I'm able to share the action.
Comments and suggestions welcome,
Morris
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5) After the fight they both dried there wings
Comments and suggestions welcome,
Morris
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X-H2S XF500mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR lens 500mm f/5.6 1/3500s 800 ISO -1.0 EV
2)
X-H2S XF500mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR lens 500mm f/5.6 1/3500s 800 ISO -1.0 EV
3)
X-H2S XF500mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR lens 500mm f/5.6 1/3500s 800 ISO -1.0 EV
4)
X-H2S XF500mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR lens 500mm f/5.6 1/3500s 800 ISO -1.0 EV
5) After the fight they both dried there wings
X-H2S XF500mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR lens 500mm f/5.6 1/2200s 800 ISO -1.0 EV
Feb 28, 2026 at 08:21 AM
p.1 #2Mallard Fight
Excellent action capture, Morris.
No reason needed for the squabble -- sometimes us males just enjoy a good sparring match.
Greg
No reason needed for the squabble -- sometimes us males just enjoy a good sparring match.
Greg
Feb 28, 2026 at 09:28 AM
p.1 #3Mallard Fight
Interesting sequence, Morris. I've seen lots of goose fights but never anything more than a peck from mallard males. Too early for breeding season. Anyway, good actions shots!
Feb 28, 2026 at 10:49 AM
p.1 #4Mallard Fight
I always call these "chaos shots" and I love beautiful chaos.
Feb 28, 2026 at 11:04 AM
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p.1 #5Mallard Fight
Looks like they're playing - they have smiles on their faces. 
Nice sequence, Morris.
Steve
Nice sequence, Morris.
Steve
Feb 28, 2026 at 03:48 PM
p.1 #7Mallard Fight
Bob Kane wrote:
Too early for breeding season.
Maybe where you are. Here in Northern California the Mallards have been copulating like there's no tomorrow, and a month ago I was surprised to see a bunch of American Robins and Red-winged Blackbirds, both of which I think of as harbingers of spring, at the nearby lagoon.
Too early for breeding season.
Maybe where you are
. Here in Northern California the Mallards have been copulating like there's no tomorrow, and a month ago I was surprised to see a bunch of American Robins and Red-winged Blackbirds, both of which I think of as harbingers of spring, at the nearby lagoon.Feb 28, 2026 at 10:07 PM
p.1 #8Mallard Fight
vbnut wrote:
Maybe where you are . Here in Northern California the Mallards have been copulating like there's no tomorrow, and a month ago I was surprised to see a bunch of American Robins and Red-winged Blackbirds, both of which I think of as harbingers of spring, at the nearby lagoon.
Robins don't migrate here in NYC yet the Red-Winged Blackbird dose yet this winter I've seen quite a few RWBB even during out extreme cold spell. It's very strange. The huge flocks of Grackles we get during the winter seem to have moved on and my daffodils are and some tulips are starting to stick up there green leaves. It's been a tough winter here in NYC and I'm looking forward to spring.
Morris
Bob Kane wrote
Too early for breeding season.. Here in Northern California the Mallards have been copulating like there's no tomorrow, and a month ago I was surprised to see a bunch of American Robins and Red-winged Blackbirds, both of which I think of as harbingers of spring, at the nearby lagoon.Robins don't migrate here in NYC yet the Red-Winged Blackbird dose yet this winter I've seen quite a few RWBB even during out extreme cold spell. It's very strange. The huge flocks of Grackles we get during the winter seem to have moved on and my daffodils are and some tulips are starting to stick up there green leaves. It's been a tough winter here in NYC and I'm looking forward to spring.
Morris
Mar 01, 2026 at 07:50 AM