On New Year’s Day morning, I had fun photographing a drake Mallard from the auto tour loop of Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge as he lifted off from the marsh.
New Year’s Day Mallard drake at Bear River MBR – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1600, ISO 1250, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I’m not convinced that this drake Mallard is 100% wild. He looks as if there may be some domesticated Mallard genes in his DNA profile. He just seemed a little plumper than the completely wild Mallards I am used to seeing at the refuge.
Whatever his genetic background was, I still had fun photographing him as he squatted down in preparation to lifting off from the ice.
Mallard drake lifting off from ice – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1600, ISO 1250, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
To my surprise, in the next frame, I was able to photograph the drake with his wings lifted and his webbed feet still planted firmly on the ice. I thought that this pose looked slightly comical, but that might just be my sense of humor coming out.
Drake Mallard in flight on New Year’s Day – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1600, ISO 1250, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Two frames later, the drake Mallard was in the air above the ice-covered marsh. There was something funny about this individual photo that made me giggle. The Mallard just kind of looked happy to me.
Yeah, yeah, I know, that is anthropomorphic. Well, I am only human after all. Part of my storytelling is writing about what I was thinking or feeling at the time, and that is what I was thinking when I took this photo of the drake Mallard.
Today it has been 6 months since my mom died. I miss her so much. She would want me to find my joy and I do with birds, my family, and my true friends that wrap their arms around me even from many miles away.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Mallard photos plus facts and information about this species.
Extraordinary. Beautiful colors; rich detail and full of promise for the year to come. Thanks Mia.
I love the last photo, despite the fog it looks like you got some nice light as it burned off.
I feel no guilt about anthromorphising. A beautiful series of a beautiful bird.
In Florida, it was increasingly difficult to find a “purebred” Mottled Duck. In a male, those curly tail feathers and/or a light reddish wash on his chest revealed his connection with the Mallard.
I’m with you Mia. He does look happy. All best wishes for a Happy New Year to you, and thanks for sharing.