p.1 #1 · Wood ducks return to their nesting grounds
It's finally warming up here in New York City after a record setting winter. With the ice melting on our lakes the Wood ducks have returned to Kissena Lake and will soon chose tree cavities to have there young. At Oakland Lake a few Wood ducks will also nest as some chose to stay there yet Kissena Park is where Wood ducks established there first colony. It was interesting to see the Silver Wood duck show up at Kissena Park and while he was treated as just another Wood duck at Oakland Lake he appears to be having a bit of a hard time getting along at Kissena Park. You may remember my first posts of him singing as he swam at Oakland Lake. Looking a bit stressed and occasionally taking dominant stances is what I observed when I found him at Kissena park. In one of the photos I'm posting you will observe the Silver appear much larger than the other Wood Ducks, It's just an illusion, they are the same size yet there coloring is quite different.
Comments and suggestions welcome,
Morris
1) Male Silver Wood duck
X-H2SXF500mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR + 1.4x lens700mmf/8.01/500s1600 ISO-1.3 EV
2) Male Silver Wood duck making him slef look large to other Wood ducks
X-H2SXF500mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR + 1.4x lens700mmf/8.01/1800s3200 ISO-0.7 EV
3) Male Wood duck
X-H2SXF500mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR + 1.4x lens700mmf/8.01/680s3200 ISO+0.7 EV
4) Male Silver Wood duck
X-H2SXF500mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR lens500mmf/5.61/2900s3200 ISO-0.3 EV
5) Male Silver Wood duck
X-H2SXF500mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR lens500mmf/5.61/2700s800 ISO0.0 EV
6) Male Wood duck
X-H2SXF500mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR + 1.4x lens700mmf/8.01/1400s3200 ISO-0.7 EV
p.1 #4 · Wood ducks return to their nesting grounds
All I can think of is how cold that water has to be!
All kidding aside, these are well done Morris.
It is amazing how the Silver version does look bigger than the regulars.
My favorites are #'s 2 & 5.
p.1 #9 · Wood ducks return to their nesting grounds
Excellent shots, Morris.
Sincere thanks for sharing, as I didn't know silvers even existed. While pale compared to their more resplendent cousins, they are uniquely beautiful.
p.1 #12 · Wood ducks return to their nesting grounds
ctgoldwing wrote:
Very nice captures Morris - must be cold standing on ice
Thank you,
Ice that's floating on water is 32f and while that's cold, it's not that cold. I believe there feet are designed to stand on snow and ice.
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johnohio wrote:
Reflective of being the " odd man out ". Nice Morris.
John
Thank you John,
I believe you have nailed what's going on and the second has become a strong faverate for me.
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gmccroskery wrote:
All I can think of is how cold that water has to be!
All kidding aside, these are well done Morris.
It is amazing how the Silver version does look bigger than the regulars.
My favorites are #'s 2 & 5.
Greg
Thank you Greg,
That water would be 32f as it's part ice and part water. It will not get colder unless it freezes solid. I agree the Silver is a very attractive duck.
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birdied wrote:
Wonderful set Morris. Beautiful subjects.
Birdie
Thank you Roberta
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LostLensCap wrote:
#2 is my favorite
Thank you Tom,
2 captures amazing behaviour with lessons for us Humans.
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alicat wrote:
Really beautiful set Morris.
Alicat
Thank you Alicat
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bonnyrcl wrote:
They are beautiful Morris!
John
Thank you John
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probishaw wrote:
Excellent shots, Morris.
Sincere thanks for sharing, as I didn't know silvers even existed. While pale compared to their more resplendent cousins, they are uniquely beautiful.
Thank you Paul,
Yes the amazing markings and simple colors of the Silver produces a stunning duck
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nugeny wrote:
I like every picture here, but the 2nd one is the best for me, Morris
Bob
Thank you Bob,
I have grown to love the second as it says so much
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Joe Mags wrote:
Boy are wood ducks pretty. Great bunch of images.
p.1 #13 · Wood ducks return to their nesting grounds
Hey Morris, great photos! I've always wanted to see Wood Ducks and now that I'm retired, I have the time. Do you know where else can they be seen in the US? We have the Sacramento River Wildlife Area which is part of the Nation Forest Servce property. It's a huge duck/geese area and I know they have Wood Duck breeding pens there, but they don't give a lot of information about seeing and photographint them. Do you know where i can see and get some good photos of these beautiful birds? thanks. Bill Samuels
p.1 #14 · Wood ducks return to their nesting grounds
billsamuels wrote:
Hey Morris, great photos! I've always wanted to see Wood Ducks and now that I'm retired, I have the time. Do you know where else can they be seen in the US? We have the Sacramento River Wildlife Area which is part of the Nation Forest Servce property. It's a huge duck/geese area and I know they have Wood Duck breeding pens there, but they don't give a lot of information about seeing and photographint them. Do you know where i can see and get some good photos of these beautiful birds? thanks. Bill Samuels
Thank you Bill,
They are very easy at Kissena Park in Flushing, Queens, New York City. I've also photographed them in New Orlienes.
