Sunday, March 15, 2009

Getting my ducks all in a row....

.....and to think that on Friday night I sat looking at some local maps, with pen in hand.. lining up my ducks, so to speak, picking and choosing what lakes, dams, rivers and creeks I might fit into a Saturday's drive.. looking for that elusive wood duck....and here he was in a small cistern at the edge of a retirement community that is about 2 miles from my house!! Not that I minded, you know, spending the day outside, driving, walking and visiting with nature, I just never gave it a thought that this beautiful creature was calmly paddling away in a nearby cistern, hanging out with the mallards? I found him at the end of my drive, and I have to say he has to be the most beautiful of all the waterfowl I have seen to date!
He didn't seem to have a mate..but seemed to have a good friend who swam close by and accompanied him all around the small cistern. I just wished she could have gotten rid of that darn feather that was stuck to her bill!!
The day was more cloudy than sunny, with a little wind but the temps did climb into the low 50s!
I stared and stared (with the alternate clicking sounds of my camera) so enjoying this little guy and all those wonderful colors. Right before I left he actually swam towards me and stopped short and seemed to look me right in the eye... as if to say, "one more picture, girl, and then you gotta go!!"
I obliged, but I plan on going back, hoping he stays near by... better yet... I hope he finds himself a mate and calls this little cistern home!
at

28 comments:

  1. ShelleyMarch 15, 2009 at 4:49 PM

    Tina - these are just beautiful photos!!! And I love that he had a little mallard friend and that you were able to capture it! (I am suffering from serious wood duck envy! I cleaned out my wood duck box this weekend and praying one will use it this spring...)

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  2. GailMarch 15, 2009 at 5:35 PM

    What a handsome fellow posing for you. Maybe he will stay.

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  3. CountryDreamingMarch 15, 2009 at 5:36 PM

    The Wood Duck appears regal and kingly in with the Mallards. Very cool!

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  4. TinaMarch 15, 2009 at 5:50 PM

    Shelley, I can't tell you how excited I was when I found him!! I couldn't believe my eyes when I first looked thru my binocs!! lol

    Gail, He is very handsome!! Do you think he will stay?

    Countrydream, Yes very cool! :)

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  5. Betsy Banks AdamsMarch 15, 2009 at 7:04 PM

    Wow Tina---You had another great day with the camera. Great pictures of the ducks. They really posed for the camera, didn't they????

    Have a great day tomorrow.

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  6. MarshaMarch 16, 2009 at 5:52 AM

    What beautiful photos! I love how he reflects in the water, especially the shot where he is swimming towards you!

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  7. GeorgeMarch 16, 2009 at 6:13 AM

    Great pictures, Tina. The Wood Duck is certainly a beautiful bird.

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  8. This Is My Blog - fishing guyMarch 16, 2009 at 7:14 AM

    Tina: You are so lucky. I saw 400 ducks in a flooded field and they were all mallards. I guess I'm lucky to have so many mallards.

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  9. jalynn01March 16, 2009 at 7:22 AM

    Oh Tina, Isn't it always that way. Driving miles to see something when all along it is right before our eyes almost in the back yard. I don't know how many times that has happened to my friend Barb and I. Or looking on one side of the road at one thing and on the other was a something even more beautiful.
    You hit the jackpot with this Wood duck. He is absolutely stunningly beautiful.I even liked his little friend with a feather on her mouth!! I hope he finds a mate and sticks around close by so you can have fun!! Great Post. Loved it.

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  10. Ruth's Photo BlogMarch 16, 2009 at 8:40 AM

    The Wood Duck is so beautiful.I sure am glad you found this one and that he was willing to be photographed.Great shots.
    Blessings,Ruth

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  11. KimMarch 16, 2009 at 3:34 PM

    Excellent photos!!!!! I can't believe how clear they are. Ducks fly off whenever they see me so I can't even imagine being able to get pics as great as that. What a beautiful duck!

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  12. LeedraMarch 16, 2009 at 3:59 PM

    We just never know where we are going to find great photo ops. He is handsome, great series. Love the reflections of him in the water too.

    Leedra’s Photos For Fun

    Leedra’s Greeting Cards

    Photography By Leedra

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  13. The BirdladyMarch 16, 2009 at 4:36 PM

    Just wonderful!

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  14. AnonymousMarch 16, 2009 at 5:10 PM

    Wood ducks are regarded as one of the most beautiful in North America.
    They are extremely difficult to approach. Congrats on doing so with fine photos!

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  15. UnknownMarch 16, 2009 at 9:56 PM

    Beautiful series of images on the Mallard. They are such colorful birds.

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  16. Craig GlennMarch 17, 2009 at 7:34 AM

    Really awesome photo Tina! Great story too!

    Craig

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  17. ChrisMarch 18, 2009 at 5:15 AM

    Hi Tina,
    What a serie!! Wonderful. I love the last one, he was looking at you straight into yours eyes. Superbe!

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  18. PhilipMarch 19, 2009 at 12:07 AM

    It certainly has beautiful markings on it, I have never seen it before I agree a beautiful bird :)

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  19. NealMarch 19, 2009 at 3:54 AM

    Beautiful photos. It almost looks like they were posing in a couple shots. :)

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  20. The BirdladyMarch 19, 2009 at 6:04 AM

    So - you got "your ducks in a row" - I guess you just never know who your neighbors might be!

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  21. Dave's Bird Watching BlogMarch 19, 2009 at 9:44 AM

    I love the sharp contrasts on your wood duck, Tina...so beautiful (especially next to "regular" ducks). Just think, there it was at the end of your trip, just waiting all along for you! Next time you can skip all the fanfare and go look for some bluebirds beside a McDonald's or something. :-)

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  22. EveMarch 20, 2009 at 3:31 AM

    Beautiful Tina. Lucky you!

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  23. troutbirderMarch 20, 2009 at 8:11 AM

    The beauty of a wood duck is something special. You captured it very well, Tina

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  24. AnonymousMarch 20, 2009 at 10:10 AM

    Lots of beauty in these pictures. Nice.

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  25. Nick SMarch 20, 2009 at 1:53 PM

    I LOVE those Wood Ducks . Congrats on getting pics :-)

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  26. Dawn FineMarch 21, 2009 at 4:29 PM

    Tina..
    Male Wood Ducks look so unreal to me!
    They are so beautiful.
    Great photos.
    Congrats!

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  27. MaryMarch 22, 2009 at 5:32 PM

    Tina, what a lovely post. I could feel your excitement to see that beautiful duck that's been on your "to see" list. Gorgeous! A lifer for me, too!

    Now I will look up Wood Duck and add it to my very long list...

    Mary

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  28. PeggyMarch 30, 2009 at 5:26 AM

    I agree! The wood duck is the firest of them all! And a tall order to actually shoot! Fine find!

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