Ring-necked Duck drake, Salt Lake County, UtahRing-necked Duck drake – Nikon D200, tripod mounted, f8, 1/800, ISO 250, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited

I photographed this drake Ring-necked Duck in breeding plumage a few years ago on a pond not far from where I live. He was a “one day wonder”, meaning it was the only day I found him on the pond. Lesser and Great Scaup drakes look similar but Ring-necked Duck males are easy to tell apart from them because of the white outline on the bill and the white spur on the flank.

I’m able to use a tripod at this pond and get close to the birds because they are habituated to human foot traffic at the pond. I use a Gitzo Carbon Fiber tripod and a Gimbal style Jobu Black Widow head.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Ring-necked Duck photos plus facts and information about this species.