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Blue-winged Teal


Blue-winged Teal
Photo Information
Copyright: Peter van Zoest (PeterZ) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2398 W: 94 N: 5543] (17640)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-06-14
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D300, AF Nikkor 70-300mm f4-5.6 G, Digital RAW
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/125 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-06-22 7:39
Viewed: 561
Points: 50
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The next special duck in the series. It is photographed at a family in my neighbourhood who keep water birds around their house in the ditches. They can swim freely, but their wings are clipped.

The Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors) is a small dabbling duck. Its placement in Anas is by no means certain; a member of the "blue-winged" group also including the shovelers, it may be better placed in Spatula. It is not a teal in the strict sense, and also does not seem closely related to the Garganey as was for some time believed. Indeed, its color pattern is strikingly reminiscent of the Australasian Shoveler.

The Blue-winged Teal is 15.5" long, with a 23" wingspan and weighs 13 oz. They have 2 molts per year and a third molt in their first year. The adult male has a greyish blue head with a white facial crescent, a light brown body with a white patch near the rear and a black tail. The adult female is mottled brown, and has a whitish area at base of bill. Both sexes have a blue speculum, and yellow legs. In flight, they flap their wings especially rapidly.

Their breeding habitat is marshes and ponds throughout north and central North America. Their range is all of North America except western and northern Alaska, northern Yukon Territory, northern Northwest Territory, Northeastern Canada. They are rare in the desert southwest, and the west coast. The nest is a shallow depression on the ground lined with grass and down, usually surrounded by vegetation.

They migrate in flocks to Central and South America. Some birds winter on the Gulf Coast and coastal California. During migration, some birds may fly long distances over open ocean. They are occasional vagrants to Europe, where their yellow legs are a distinction from other small ducks like Common Teal and Garganey. DNA analysis of this species has revealed it's genetic make up to be almost identical to that of the Cinnamon teal.

These birds feed by dabbling in shallow water at the edge of marshes or open water. They mainly eat plants; their diet may include molluscs and aquatic insects.

The call of the male is a short whistle; the female's call is a soft quack.

Their status is Least Concern.

Source: Wikipedia
ramthakur, Argus, boreocypriensis, nglen, efsus, siggi, uleko, maurydv, jconceicao, cirano, jaycee, Gert-Paassen, nasokoun, anel, Noisette, Heaven, CeltickRanger has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Couldn't think of a better POV, Peter.
The Teal looks so handsome from it with a sharp and clear view of its plumage with subtle colours on it.
The image is as good as three-dimensional.
Well done and regards.
Ram

  • Great 
  • izida Silver Star Critiquer [C: 28 W: 0 N: 0] (584)
  • [2009-06-22 9:38]

Merhaba Peter,
Harika ve sevimli kare.Renk ve netlik guzel
Elinize saglik

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3824 W: 190 N: 11393] (35107)
  • [2009-06-22 9:39]

Hello Peter,
This wildfowl park has some fantastic species. This is a superb portrait of a male Blue-winged Teal taken from an ideal POV with perfect sharpness and colours.
It is a rare visitor to Sweden, but I have never seen it.
Thanks and best regards,
Ivan

Hi MF Peter,
A nother beautiful duck species having a wonderful colours and pattern from a fine POV with great clarity and nice composition.
TFS and cheers,
Bayram

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2916 W: 34 N: 8651] (32250)
  • [2009-06-22 10:00]

Hi Peter. One more for the series. This is such a beauty with its bold looking markings. You have taken such a fine close up of the Blue-winged Teal . Your use of the light has given natural looking colours. Along withfine detail and the feathers. I has a sad look about its face as do many Ducks. Intersting notes too. well done TFS .

Nick..

  • Great 
  • efsus Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 436 W: 10 N: 738] (3210)
  • [2009-06-22 10:17]

Merhaba Peter,
Bu güzel ve nadir olduğunu yeni öğrendiğim türün çok hoş bir portrsini paylaşmışsın. Tüylerin deseni, renkleri ve ayrıntılar enfes olmuş. Tebrikler.

Hüseyin

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1380 W: 56 N: 4759] (16364)
  • [2009-06-22 11:10]

Hello Peter.
What a beautiful picture of a beautiful Blue-winged Teal . I love the colours and the close pov, allowing us to look at the many details on the plumage. It is beautiful and a pleasure to look at, thank you!
Best regards Siggi

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2999 W: 162 N: 984] (2877)
  • [2009-06-22 11:28]

Hello Peter,
This is a beautiful duck that is new to me and your capture is excellent showing fantastic details and colours. I don't really like the thought of clipped wings though, but I expect it is a common bird where it is found in the wild.
TFS and regards, Ulla

Hello Peter,
another fantastic picture of your duck series, very beautiful portrait of the Blue-winged Teal taken from an excellent low POV with superb sharpness, i like the closed composition with splendid light and beautiful colours.
TFS
Best regards
Maurizio

Hello Peter,

Excellent photo of this beautiful Blue-winged Teal.
Colours,definition and sharpness are fantastic.
Good notes.

  • Great 
  • cirano Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 656 W: 0 N: 228] (4950)
  • [2009-06-22 14:50]

Hello Peter,
Wonderful capture of this beautiful duck with nice light,color and reflection.Perfeckt sharpness and details.
Thanks for sharing.
Dûrzan

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1978 W: 6 N: 5527] (19673)
  • [2009-06-22 15:28]

Waaw Peter,everyday better! I like a lot this mini-gallery of in-water birds,this have magic and unusual colors and a excellent sharpness too! Very nice and interesting work,my best compliments,have a nice day,LUCIANO

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2001 W: 226 N: 6845] (24727)
  • [2009-06-22 15:51]

Hi Peter,
A fine capture of this Teal!
Very nice colours.
Excellent lighting.
Great composition.

Well done,

Joe

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2009-06-22 16:40]

Hi Peter,

Would I love to spend a day at your bird park!! Another beauty with magnificent colors and patterns. You captured him in a perfect position to show off his wonderful face, eye and feathers. Outstanding colors and details. A lovely reflection and a superb composition.

Jane

Now here's another beauty from you, Peter!
I love the colours, the POV and the sheer quality of this shot!
Thanks for the share, my friend!
Goldy

Hallo Peter,

een mooie serie van al die vreemdsoortige eenden.
Goede pov and prachtige kleuren.
Nog eens makkelijk met zulke familie in de buurt.

Gert

hello Peter
marvellous colours one very good capture, full sharpness,a type that I have not seen
TFS
Nasos

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1726 W: 0 N: 3927] (15770)
  • [2009-06-23 4:58]

Hello Peter,
This one is so cute and has a very attractive plumage! I also like the glance in its eye. Beautiful fine and pleasant colors for this picture. Fine sharpness and good framing too.
Thanks also for your note
Kind regards
Anne

  • Great 
  • briGG Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 171 W: 2 N: 272] (1383)
  • [2009-06-23 8:26]

Hello peter,

The whole series is really interesting!

Here is a picture with natural colors which gives us a good idea of this species.
thank you for this sharing

Ciao Peter, splendid bird with fantastic colors, beautiful composition with fascinating reflections, fine details and wonderful sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

Hello Peter
excellent shot of this Blue-winged Teal captured of a nice way, great reflection in the water, wonderful details on his beautiful plumage
great lighting too and very good note
Have a good night
Jacqueline

  • Great 
  • Heaven Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 811 W: 108 N: 1736] (6060)
  • [2009-06-23 21:30]

Hi Peter!

I went through your gallery and I'm pleased to congratulate you for your bird pictures. This one stands for many others: simple, yet pleasant composition, great sharpness and superb colours. It's also very interesting to read your notes.

Kind regards

Markus

Bien encuadrada y con unas tonalidades muy bien captadas.
Un saludo Peter: Josep Ignasi.

Hallo Peter
Like your previous bird postings this is image is off high standard. Your camerawork is flawless and your work is precise and orderly. It is always a pleasure to look at your images as they testify of pride. I cannot give other comment than great photography as a whole. This bird have the most wonderful patterns on its feathers, and it almost hypnotize the eye. Thanks for sharing.
Best regards
Anna

hello Peter

beautiful close-up photo of the Blue-winged Teal,
with fine POV, excellent sharpness and details of its plumage,
and a beautiful eye-contact, TFS

Asbed

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