<< Previous Next >>

Blue-winged Teals


Blue-winged Teals
Photo Information
Copyright: John Reasbeck (ubc64) Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 31 W: 3 N: 86] (292)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-06-02
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D300
Exposure: f/9.0, 1/1600 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-06-09 22:14
Viewed: 450
Points: 10
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Blue-winged Teals are often found in freshwater ponds and marshes. I encountered the pair in my photo as I was walking around the edge of Red Deer Lake, in Lloyd Park – a small park just south of Hwy. 22X in Calgary, Alberta. The lake is a very marshy area, which is probably a mile or so across. Many bird species are there at this time of the year. I saw these male and female ducks standing on a log at one end of the lake. The male is on the right. The shot I selected is kind of cute, I thought. The ducks look like they’re admiring themselves in the water – perhaps, to see if they are presentable enough to go out for dinner. :)

My iBird Explorer Canada iPod touch application is the reference I used in order to identify the ducks. That app gives the Latin name as Anas discors. The range of the ducks is said to be across most of the U.S. and much of Canada, even extending up to Alaska. They are typically 15-17 inches in length and weigh just under one pound. They are not a large duck; a large male Mallard could be about twice the size of one of the larger male Blue-winged Teals. They are more vocal than most ducks, making a high-pitched “tsee tsee”, and a nasal quacking. Apparently, according to iBird Explorer, “Blue-winged Teals have the highest annual mortality rate (reaching 65%) of all of the dabbling ducks, possibly as a result of hunting and long over-ocean migration.” It’s a good thing that there are lots of them – about 4,600,000, according to http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=443.

Three other URLs with interesting information on Blue-winged Teals are:

http://www.deltawaterfowl.org/research/bios/bwteal.php

http://www.birdweb.org/birdweb/bird_details.aspx?id=69

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Blue-winged_Teal/lifehistory
oldferret, zetu, roges 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
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To lovenature: Thanks!ubc64 3 07-13 14:45
To roges: Thanks!ubc64 1 06-27 15:58
To greghume: Thanks!ubc64 1 06-15 23:24
To zetu: Thanks!ubc64 1 06-10 15:39
To oldferret: Thanks!ubc64 1 06-10 15:37
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

Hi John,

A good shot of a pair of Teals, good focus and dof, the colours are good and natural. Like the pose on the log.
TFS

Regards

Bill

  • Great 
  • zetu Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 652 W: 15 N: 1622] (6301)
  • [2009-06-10 5:48]
  • [+]

Hello John
Nice capture. I like details and natural colors. Well done.
Regards
Razvan

Hi John,
You did a good job handling the high contrast - sunny days can be a challenge. Diagonal composition of the log also adds to the overall interest. My first impression was that the ducks seemed a bit reluctant to get back in the water. I like shots that clearly show the differences between the sexes as it helps a lot with identification.
Regards,
Greg

  • Great 
  • roges Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 613 W: 0 N: 546] (3180)
  • [2009-06-26 9:47]
  • [+]

Hi John !

This is a exceptional catch that you present us.
Very nice played with some great colors.
Have a beautiful evening,
Adrian

Hi John
You answered a question for me...I've seen these ducks and never knew the name...and now I do. I really like this portrait, the colours and clarity is just excellent. I like the way the ducks are looking into the water. You've composed this image very well, I like it a lot.
TFS Janice
PS had lunch at Cora's at Northland Mall today : )

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF