Cinnamon Teal hen with wings raising for lift off – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I felt delighted to be able to take a series of this Cinnamon Teal hen lifting off from the marsh at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge yesterday morning. These small dabbling ducks can lift off in the time it takes to blink our eyes. They can be extremely skittish at the refuge especially after a long hunting season.
This female Cinnamon Teal gave me the opportunity to take a few images of her gracefully floating on the water before she raised her wings slightly. Her wing movement indicated to me that she was going to take off. I locked onto her with my camera.
These images are in sequential order.
Cinnamon Teal Hen about to lift off – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Her wings then slapped down onto the surface of the water and the hen pressed her head forward.
Cinnamon Teal hen lifting off from water – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
And the next frame shows the hen Cinnamon Teal above the surface of the marsh with splashing water trailing below her feet. Typically I wouldn’t like this composition because the hen is so close to the right side of the frame. I cropped it this way to show all the splashing water.
Sadly I missed out on several other opportunities to photograph other Cinnamon Teal hens and drakes lifting off because for a split second I looked away, adjusted my settings, didn’t get to the ducks fast enough or blinked my eyes.
It was a thrill for me to capture this teal hen lifting off from the marsh yesterday morning in just three frames.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Cinnamon Teal photos plus facts and information about this species.
Great action shots! Look at that girl go! Thanks Mia.
Very nice photos.
A marvelous series, Mia! I’m so glad you included all of the splashes.
An amazing sight – and series.
I really enjoyed seeing the wings flair as it is lifting out of the water. So much color!
Nice freeze-frame action! Also loved your other photos, especially of the handsome male Cinnamon Teal.
I’m glad you got her in focus too. Fantastic shots.