Three Redheads on a pond – Nikon D500, f9, 1/800, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Yesterday morning when the light was good I couldn’t find any birds that were close enough in good light to photograph but yesterday evening when the light wasn’t the best because of clouds to the west, I had birds. That stuff happens to bird photographers.
I had a few minutes of decent light to photograph three Redhead ducks on a pond and after that the light was not great at all. These Redheads were out in the middle of a pond.
First winter Redhead – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/1000, ISO 640, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
After the light started getting poor one of the Redheads, which I believe to be a first winter female, came in close enough to take frame filling images of her. Thankfully there were times I could get just this Redhead in the frame without the mallards that were milling around her.
Redhead feeding on aquatic vegetation – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/800, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Why were the mallards sticking close to this Redhead? That was because she was diving down into the pond and bringing up aquatic vegetation to feed on and the mallards were stealing bits of it from her. There were just a few times I could photograph her eating the vegetation without having the other thieving ducks in the frame.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to view more of my Redhead photos plus facts and information about this species.
All great pics…but the one in the middle is a duck carvers joy! What a terrific image to work from! Thanks Mia.
Very attractive species! Thank you for sharing these!
I love the colouring of male Redheads. Great series of photos.
These images are fantastic. many thanks for sharing!