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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
This male Cinnamon Teal Duck reminded me of so many males in my life, human or not. Winning his female, he, I think, was singing 'Joy to the World' or if I understood correctly, felt he had earned his bragging rights.
She's definitely a little cutie, but he did win her earlier and then a smart Cinnamon Teal male tried to break up their little party. He used a cunningness I had not yet seen with these particular ducks: He flew and then dive-bombed right between them. Anticipating the move, these two parted long enough for the cheater to slam into the water than reunited, the winner (once more) triumpant and again resumed his bragging rights.
Not only was the cheater cunning, but the male courting this young damsil was just as smart for he seemed to understand what the other male was up to.
They went around the lake side by side, then swam to a thicket to be by themselves while the lone male searched for another female. (I am happy to announce that he did find one - fair and square that will be uplated a few days from now.)
In order to get these photos, I dealt with biting black flies, mosquitoes, ticks, and bugs I couldn't identify. I scaled a small rock rise, accidentally chased a goose away, and walked on a spider I saw much too late.
I stayed in this one spot close to an hour, but I really enjoyed watching the courtship ritual that was in the midst of taking place when I arrived. This was my first time to see the courtship ritual and it was worth every bite, stumble, and slight hazzard.
I did forget to mention that these two were closer to the middle of the pond than some of the other shots I took. I stood with one foot on a boulder and the other on some shale - not a great place for a tripod. My job was to keep my balance, get the shot holding the camera in my hands and try not to move (and yeah, that includes falling). Normally, had I been closer, I would've set up the tripod, especially since I was able to anticipate where these two would swim by, but the unstable ground was a deterrent - and also, I was on sort of a rise/cliff. Otherwise, I agree completely with Bobair.
The watching only proved my theory: regardless of species, most males are the same when it comes to love or courtship! |
thor68, bobair, eqshannon, nglen, CeltickRanger has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes. |
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- bobair
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 360 W: 72 N: 1104]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(4074) - [2008-05-11 7:39]
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Hi Kathy,
he is just one happy camper and a heck of a dapper chappie,I just love the colour of these teals.Like my canvasback fellow he too has an excellent red eye.I think that you didn't need to use f/16 but could of got great results with f/8 or 9 for a faster shutter speed and good field of depth as they look like they were fairly close to you,a faster shutter helps with any softness that might occur in a hand held shot or moving subject,this you probably know but is more for the benefit of newbies.I like these two and thank you for sharing them with us. Bob
Very cool Kathy...you are sure the trekker this year...I'll bet God willing, you will be busy posting away. And remember this! Morels and other such fungi grow well in a few weeks in an area which has had fires:-) Just a hint!
Bob
hello Kathy
wonderful image of this Cinnamon Teal Duck couple,
fine POV, DOF and panorama framing, from the POV
you took the image i love to see the circles on the water,
excellent luminosity of the image with excellent
sharpness and details of the ducks, TFS
Asbed
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- nglen
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1827 W: 2 N: 4700]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(17728) - [2008-05-12 5:57]
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Hi Kathy. i like your story and notes about the ducks. which you have captured with good colours. and detail with a nice refection in the water. well done TFS.
Nick.
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- arfer
(28772)
- [2008-05-16 22:13]
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Hello Kathy
A lovely capture of these beautiful ducks.
The colours are wonderful,and the eye contact is super.
I love the quacking duck!
A very good demonstration of sexual dimorphism in this species.
Great POV.
TFS
Rob
