Head UP or Down?

[kenpossum]

Photographers are frustrated when our subject remains hidden with it's head down. We talk to it, jingle keys, trying to get it's attention. I suggest that it's often best just to leave it in peace. If it pops it's head up on it's own, great you have a nice portrait shot. If it doesn't, you may also have a great shot, and perhaps one with more character. The single eye watching the photographer tells a story.

Redhead, Lesser Scaups taken at Mill Pond, Abbotsford.

[Chris]

Well put Ken. I would also add, that trying to grab the birds attention, also applies to birders who are not photographers.

Nice shot of the male Redhead. Fantastic bird. Your second picture the duck on the left is a Ruddy Duck. Note the tail in the air and the white line across the face. The second bird also looks like one but its somewhat tough to tell. When was this taken? They can be very difficult to find within our checklist region.

[davidandkaren]

Ruddy Ducks really? Hmm well I was there the same day so I have photographs (not great) of the same birds so perhaps this will help with the ID.

[Chris]

Those are great pictures David. They illustrate the winter plumage of a Ruddy Duck very well. One way to tell a Ruddy Duck a part from other ducks is the raised tail, they often do this.

The first picture is a male Ruddy Duck in winter plumage. The next two pictures are female Ruddy Ducks. The males have a large white patch on the cheek while the remale just has a thin white line. The last picutre the duck in the front is a female scaup and the duck in the background is a Ruddy Duck. Note the raised tail on the Ruddy Duck and the lack of white on the face on the Scaup.

There have been Ruddy Ducks wintering at Willband for the last for years, but it looks like this year they are wintering at Mill Lake.

Oh and sorry Ken I kind of got off topic!

[kenpossum]

Ruddy Ducks! Well I'll be! That would be another lifer for me then, and completely unexpected. Buying you coffee sometime Chris!

I photographed them last week when I was after the Anna's Hummingbird. They were farther out in the lake than the other birds, but close enough to get a shot. I will check the other images I took of the flock to see if there is a male as well. The redhead was with the same group. Thank you so much!

[Gord]

I like the idea of letting the bird do its thing as well. Ive found that birds being so active they will move on their own accord soon anyway. Or, maybe the 'non-traditional' photograph that results is better than the original thought. I also like that Redhead peeking with one eye open.

Good work on the Ruddy Ducks guys!