First Winter Drake Common Goldeneye Landing On A Pond
I got lucky when a first winter drake Common Goldeneye flew towards me while coming in for a landing on the pond in sweet late afternoon light.
First Winter Common Goldeneye Drake Mid-dive In Northern Utah
I like this image because I was able to capture the eye of this diving first winter drake Common Goldeneye just as it is about to go below the surface of the pond but I also like what is going on with the water in this frame too.
Back View Of A Drake Common Merganser In Salt Lake County
I took this photo two winters ago on the local pond and I liked it because even though the view of the drake Common Merganser was taken of its back the merganser turned his head and gave me a great view of his eye.
Common Goldeneye Drakes Close To Home – December 2017
I only see Common Goldeneyes in northern Utah during their nonbreeding season because they breed well north of here so I get a touch excited when they show up at my local pond.
Drake Redhead Photos Taken in Different Lighting Conditions
I enjoy viewing the image of the drake Redhead on the snowy January morning just as much as the drake Redhead photo on a clear February afternoon, they both show the ducks doing what ducks do no matter what the weather is doing.
First Winter Drake Common Goldeneye Close Up & Close To Home
This first winter Common Goldeneye drake had no issues with getting close to me as I photographed it on a chilly December afternoon.
Drake Lesser Scaup in Salt Lake County
The drake Lesser Scaup did come in close enough to be able to take a few images of it where it almost filled the frame before a man and his dog walked by and caused the scaup to make a hasty retreat to the middle of the pond.
Drake Redhead Flapping His Wings On a February Afternoon
I've been seeing Redheads at my local pond over the winter but most of the time they have stayed on the other side of the pond so having this one up a bit closer and flapping his wings was a delight.
Drake Redhead Courtship Display
I'm glad that I made the trip down to the pond because I was able to photograph a drake Redhead exhibiting courtship display behavior several times as he tried to impress the hen that was nearby.
Drake Common Goldeneye Courtship Display in Low Light
Because I had noticed the Common Goldeneye drake's behavior I was able to photograph him as he assumed the Head-throw posture.
Snowy High Key Mallard Drake Portrait
My favorite image of the day was this high key Mallard drake portrait that was taken in the late afternoon which was the only time I could see the sun behind the clouds the whole day.
Photographing American Wigeon Drakes in Afternoon and Low Light
I like how both these two American Wigeon photos turned out even though they were taken in different lighting conditions, they are both pleasing to my eye.
Mallard Drake in Flight in Salt Lake County
I locked on to one of the mallard drakes and when he flew past I was able to take some nice photos of him before he landed on the water
American Wigeon Pair In Northern Utah
I wonder how long this pair of American Wigeons will hang around, I hope it is long enough for me to see more green iridescence on the drake's head and long enough for me to take more images of them.
Drake Common Merganser In Flight In Northern Utah
One of the drake Common Mergansers I saw yesterday flew over the pond and past me close enough for me to take two photos of it up close in the late evening light.
Mallards In Flight In Golden Afternoon Light
Photographing the Mallards in flight in golden afternoon light was a terrific way to end my bird photography session for the evening.
Drake Mallards Bathing and Splashing
After bathing the Mallards lift up, flap their wings and shake the water off and I have also noticed them repeat the process of bathing several times in succession. Bathe, shake, flap.
Winter Common Mergansers – A Visual Break From The Summer Heat
Back in February there was still snow on the ground, ice on the water and Common Mergansers were at Farmington Bay WMA and some were sporting their breeding plumage.
Landing Drake Mallard
I don't often have the opportunity of taking photos of ducks that are flying straight at me while coming in for a landing which is exactly what this drake mallard did.
Cinnamon Teal, Short-eared Owl & Red-Tailed Hawk – A Nice Mixture of Birds
It felt great to photograph a nice mixture of birds yesterday and and to be out enjoying the beautiful scenery of northern Utah. Life is good.
Pair of Mallards Mating in February
Mallards form pairs in the fall and courtship can seen during the winter and seeing them mating in February isn't all that unusual.
Photographing Common Mergansers at Farmington Bay
I spent time photographing a few Rough-legged Hawks but my personal choice for birds of the day were the Common Mergansers I observed and photographed.
Drake Gadwall Flapping His Wings on a Winter Day
Several of the Gadwalls were tipping their heads under the water to feed when this drake started to flap his wings before settling back down on the water.
Possible Name Change for Ring-necked Duck to Ring-billed Duck
In 2017 one of the proposals submitted to the AOS is to rename Ring-necked Ducks to Ring-billed Ducks and I personally am all for the name change!
Common Goldeneyes Have Started Their Courtship Displays
I'm seeing plenty of goldeneyes around right now and I have also begun to see the male Common Goldeneyes performing their courtship displays.
Male Common Goldeneye in Breeding Plumage on the Jordan River
I photographed this male Common Goldeneye in breeding plumage on the Jordan River in Salt Lake County, Utah in low light on a cold morning.
Redhead Drakes
This Redhead drake photographed at the refuge in his breeding plumage sure stood out well from the water that was reflecting the spring growth of rushes and phragmites.
Northern Shoveler Drake and Hen
This beautiful Northern Shoveler drake in breeding plumage was photographed in one of those no hunting areas on New Years Day 2015 at Farmington Bay.
Mallard Drake Portrait Salt Lake County, Utah
I was able to take a Mallard drake portrait of one of the ducks that were close and loved how this showed the blue green iridescence.
Bathing Common Merganser at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
There isn't much open water right now but in a few places where it is open it attracts waterfowl including this bathing Common Merganser male in breeding plumage.