Ring-Necked Ducks Male/Female

<< Previous Next >>
Ring-Necked Ducks Male/Female
Photo Information
Copyright: Rob Fry (arfer) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2686 W: 67 N: 9197] (28756)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-05-12
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D70S, Nikon AF VR 80-400 ED, Hoya Super HMC Pro1 77mm UV
Exposure: f/7.1, 1/400 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): CeltickRanger's favorite Anatidae photos [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-05-12 19:13
Viewed: 481
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 62
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Ring-Necked Ducks Male - Female (Aythya collaris)

I took this photo after work today,I believe there is two pair of ring-necked ducks nesting in one of the marshes that I pass by and visit regularly.
This pose gave a very good view of the sexual dimorphism in this species.

Although male ring-necked ducks superficially resemble their counterparts in greater and lesser scaups, their peaked, angular head profile, distinctive white bill markings, and uniformly dark upper wings distinguish them. Female ring-necked ducks most closely resemble female redheads, but are distinguished by their smaller size, peaked, angular head profile, and pale region around the face. Male ring-necked ducks have an iridescent black head, neck, breast and upperparts. The belly and flanks are whitish to greyish with a distinctive triangular white wedge extending upward in the area in front of the folded wing. The bill is slate with a white border around the base and nares and a pale white band behind the black tip. Their name is derived from a faint brownish ring around the base of the neck, which is visible only upon close inspection. The legs and feet are grey-blue and the iris is yellow. Relatively silent except in display when a low whistling note is uttered. Female ring-necked ducks have a brown head with a black crown, light brown cheeks and chin, and a white eye-ring. A narrow white line extends from the eye to the back of the head. The bill is slate with a faint white band near the tip. The neck, back, sides, and flanks are brown and the belly is white. The legs and feet are grey-blue and the iris is brown. Female vocalizes a soft rolling "trrr."
Ring-necked ducks breed from south-eastern and east-central Alaska, central British Columbia eastward through northern Saskatchewan to Newfoundland, south to north-eastern California, south-eastern Arizona, southern Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, northern New York, and Massachusetts. They prefer sedge-meadow marshes, swamps, and bogs surrounded by woody vegetation. Female ring-necked ducks nest in flooded or floating emergent vegetation and lay an average of 8 to 10 eggs.
Ring-necked ducks dive in shallow water to feed on tubers, seeds, and leaves of moist-soil and aquatic plants (pondweeds, coontail, water milfoil, hydrilla, sedges, grasses, wild rice, etc.). They also eat aquatic insects, snails, and clams.

Photo:
cropped
sharpened
RAW to Jpeg
Frame Added
Reduced for TN
Ken52, Adanac, eqshannon, jaycee, bobair, Gert-Paassen, uleko, maurydv, JPlumb, pekkavalo1, gracious, bobcat08, CeltickRanger, gerbilratz, mariki, Amadeo, writerscrawlz, vanderschelden, MMM, jusninasirun, saeedabbasi, pierrefonds has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Ken52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 657 W: 98 N: 1206] (3913)
  • [2008-05-12 19:37]

Excellent shot of this pair of ducks. You are right. We get a good look at the color difference between male and female. I am very impressed with the razor sharp focus on both ducks! Composition is excellent. Well managed exposure and outstanding low POV. BRAVO!

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1043 W: 1 N: 4025] (13236)
  • [2008-05-12 20:34]

Hello Rob,
Outstanding detail and great colors, I love that you have captured both sexes in the same image. Point of view and depth of field are spot on as well my friend. Thank you for sharing this fine image.
Rick

  • Great 
  • bobair Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 359 W: 72 N: 1104] (4074)
  • [2008-05-12 21:19]

Hi Rob,
this is a very nice after work photo and I too got some ducky friends today after work plus an unexpected bonus.I like the fact that the male's ring-neck shows up well in this capture and the details are good overall as is the colour.I have to admit that I fancy ducks and I thank you for giving us all this view. Bob

Hello rob,

lovely couple have you there captured and it shows the difference between male and female beautifully.
Nice reflection on the water.
I personally think a little oversharped, look to the male duck.

Gert

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2356 W: 134 N: 6487] (20173)
  • [2008-05-12 22:09]

Hello Rob,
A very fine portrait of Mr and Mrs Ring-neck both being super sharp and taken in a fine pose from a good POV to show how the sexes differ. I like the composition and the reflections in the water.
TFS this fine image,
Ivan

Bellissima presentazione di questa coppia, ottimi POV e composizione con bellissimi riflessi e colori, molto buona la nitidezza. Grazie e complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

Hi Rob.
What I like about this is that you captured the two without other distractions like other ducks part way in the back.
Nice looking location, and I can imagine how it is with full sun. TFS
Doug

  • Great 
  • JPlumb Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 658 W: 171 N: 916] (2823)
  • [2008-05-12 23:56]

Hi Rob, if I saw these two in the wild, and not in a shot with notes like this, I wouldn't know they were the same species. Not only are they coloured differently, but their head shape almost seems different. Maybe it was just a bad hair day for the female. It's a great capture on your part placing them together like this, with very good detail seen on both.

Thanks, John

Hi Rob,

Very nice capture of these ducks with good composition, nice POV, sharp details.

TFS

Pekka

Hello Rob,
Many thanks for this lovely composition to let us makes the different between male and female of these Ring necked duck! they really quite different!
good image with sharpness, vivid colour and superb details
well done
Tony

Wonderful shot. Fine portrait of this beautiful pair. Overall a very nice posting.
Best wishes,
Achim

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2235 W: 168 N: 6506] (20422)
  • [2008-05-13 5:33]

Hello Rob,
This is great capture of this beautiful pair of Ring-necked Ducks, both very sharply in focus. I like the sharp colours of the male and the yellow eye. Nice reflections in the water too. Well done!
Many thanks and regards, Ulla

Well all of us duck lovers are really having a good time the past few days. I do enjoy them...and they as the Canadian Geese are more apt of be around earlier in spring...even before the buds on plants and trees..so I am not surprised. What does surprise me are the variety of ducks of which I had no idea. Sometimes we get certain patterns locked in our heads and then an image such as this comes along and breaks the mold....so this in itself makes for a great lesson plan along with notes...and should I ever travel again....very nice and much appreciated for your continued love of nature.
Bob

Hello Rob,

Fine portrait of this beautiful pair Ring-Necked Ducks. I never heard about this ducks. So you can learn here everyday about our mother nature. Excellent shot. Beautiful natural colors. The difference between male and female is excellent captured. Nice mirror effect. Very interesting notes. Well done this after work shot (-: Greetings and TFS BOB

hello Rob

very beautiful image of this couple of Ring-Necked Ducks,
with fine POV and DOF, you choosed the great moment
to shoot the image when each one looking on oppsite side,
excellent sharpness and details, the female is very beautiful,

TFS

Asbed

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1640 W: 8 N: 3989] (12780)
  • [2008-05-13 8:28]

Hi Rob,

A great shot of this couple and it shows the difference between male and female beautifully. Colors and details are excellent and show how dis-similar the two are. I love the eye of the male and the feathers on the top of the female's head. Even the water is wonderful.

Jane

Hi Rob, I love this composition. The way you have captured the birds is excellent. An interesting image with great details and clarity. Fine work indeed...

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1517 W: 242 N: 4942] (17343)
  • [2008-05-13 8:48]

Great capture of this Ring-Necked Ducks.
Very sharp with great clarity.
Well composed and a great POV.
Perfectly lit.
Well done Rob!

Joe

Hello Rob,

I like very much the composition. Very good detail and beautiful colours.
Cheers,
Mariki

  • Great 
  • Amadeo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 139 W: 0 N: 441] (1852)
  • [2008-05-13 12:16]

Hola Rob, buena fotografia, me gusta la luz y el color. El reflejo en el agua aporta valor para la composición. Un saludo

  • Great 
  • efsus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 103 W: 3 N: 63] (564)
  • [2008-05-13 13:43]

Merhaba Rob,
Very nice capture of these ducks with excellent composition, nice POV, sharp details.
TFS
Hüseyin

I see we both enjoy ducks! Nice sharp details, and I love the composition here. I am reminded of 'loud discussions' between males and females where they turn their back on each other. Also, the ripples in the water give it a gentle feeling, a sense of serenity if you will. The exposure is terrific as is the DOF. Superb...

Well done, Rob.
I think they don't like each other:-)
Probably a bad day or so..
Picture is well done though; as always:-)
TFS
Annick

Hello Rob,
Wonderful natural scene. Excellent sharpness and fantastic natural and clear colours. DOF, composition and POV are fantastic.
Regards,
Peter

Hello Rob
Ils sont très bien tes 2 canards.
bravo et merci
Laurent

  • Great 
  • MMM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 738 W: 0 N: 1444] (6480)
  • [2008-05-14 12:52]

Hi Rob
Nice couple.Beautiful natural habitat and goood POV.Nice composition and excellent text.
TFS Michel

Hello Rob, great capture of this cute couple,
excellent sharpness and depth of field, very nice
colors, good details and nice light.
Angela

Beautiful pair captured in the lake Rob. I like the ripples and the leisurely swim in sharpness and clarity. Thanks for sharing and very well done. Regards. Jusni

Hi Rob, splendid couple and fascinating reflections, superb light and fantastic colors, great sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

Dear Rob ,
Nice ahot with Great composition.
Light is nice.

Thanks and regards
Saeed

Hi Rob,

The two ducks on the marsh are impressive. The capture of the rings in the water are assets to the composition. The point of view is showing the details and colors of the ducks. The subject is nicely frame.

Pierre

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF