Northern Pintail drake pano, Farmington Bay WMA, Davis County, UtahA Northern Pintail drake pano – Nikon D810, f9, 1/1000, ISO 320, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

I’ve been thinking about this upcoming winter wondering if we will get a normal amount of snow and of course about the birds I will see on cold mornings at Farmington Bay. I am always tickled to see and photograph Northern Pintails in their breeding plumage, especially the drakes. Of all the ducks I see I think the Northern Pintail drakes are the most elegant looking. They almost look like they are wearing a suit of some kind.

Drake Northern Pintail in breeding plumage, Farmington Bay WMA, Davis County, UtahA drake Northern Pintail in breeding plumage – Nikon D810, f9, 1/1000, ISO 320, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

These photos were taken last January in the company of Ron and Wade who are good friends of mine. Northern Pintails don’t often allow such a close approach any time of the year but especially during hunting season so we were thrilled to photograph this one.

I’ve already seen a few Northern Pintails flying over Farmington Bay and I hope to have more opportunities to photograph them this fall and winter. We will see.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Northern Pintail photos plus facts and information about this species.