Today I am sharing a simple photo of a resting Redhead drake that I saw at my local pond two days ago. The red-headed duck appeared to be keeping an eye on me. He probably wasn’t, but it did look that way.
Resting Redhead drake – Nikon D500, tripod mounted, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Redhead ducks are year-round residents in northern Utah. At my local pond, they are absent during the breeding season, but these ducks start showing up again in the fall. I always enjoy seeing this species, whether at my local pond, in the marshes surrounding the Great Salt Lake, or in rafts of thousands on the coasts in winter. I used to see huge rafts of them on the Gulf Coast when I lived in Florida.
This Redhead was the first bird I photographed two days ago before I was mesmerized by the murmuration of European Starlings. Even though he was resting, I could see his bright orange eye, and his resting posture relaxed me.
There has been another drake and hen Redhead at this pond, although I didn’t see them two days ago. They could have been easily hiding from my sight in the pondside vegetation, which during the last couple of years has grown out of control.
What I like about this Redhead drake photo is his relaxed posture and being able to see his eye. I also enjoy the bright blue sky reflected on the water, and how the out-of-focus Mallards give a nice sense of depth to this image.
Later on in the morning, this Redhead drake floated out to the middle of the water to move away from some fishermen who arrived at the edge of the pond. I hope he and the other Redheads stick around for the winter.
In just a few weeks, the drakes should start their breeding displays, which are always fun to see and photograph.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Redhead duck photos plus facts and information about this species.
Beautiful. Thank you.