When we got to the reserve, the lake was covered in a thin sheen of ice with only a bit of open water. A mallard pair came alongside the path as we were leaving. They hugged the shoreline so most shots were a bit obscured by bushes. When this female mallard turned to look out at the frozen lake one could imagine she too couldn’t believe that this had happened, practically overnight.
December 10, 2017 at 11:26 pm
Mallards are a hoot to watch and photograph, it’s a shame that because they’re so common that most people don’t appreciate them. I loved your photo of the female pondering the ice.
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December 11, 2017 at 9:17 am
Thank you. They do make terrific subjects!
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November 16, 2017 at 1:33 pm
You caught her pondering in a most beautiful way, Belinda.
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November 16, 2017 at 7:29 pm
Thank you Jet!
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November 16, 2017 at 8:41 am
Nice capture, and thank you for reminding me why I shoot in warm marshes 😀. I do miss the Mallards though.
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November 16, 2017 at 9:08 am
Thanks! We’re missing the warm weather now but the mallards are some consolation and they don’t sneak up on you like your alligators do😏
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November 16, 2017 at 6:47 am
I’ve never been disappointed so I just keep coming back to see what you’ve captured. Beautiful as always.
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November 16, 2017 at 8:33 am
Thank you. Very nice of you to say!
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November 15, 2017 at 9:15 pm
She’s a beauty. I wonder if she’s thinking about skating as fast as she can singing a duck’s version of WHEEE! all the way across that ice?
How they live so seemingly comfortable in freezing water and environments is beyond me.
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November 16, 2017 at 8:31 am
Thank you. She has a rather stoic look, have to admire their resilience!
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November 15, 2017 at 1:52 pm
Beautiful sneeky peek through the vegetation. It makes you wonder what thoughts may go through their heads when they first encounter ice?
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November 15, 2017 at 6:59 pm
Thank you Pete. You have to wonder.
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November 15, 2017 at 9:41 am
When the water freezes it really screws things up for the birds. No food, no shelter, hard to travel on, and darn cold. I feel sorry for all the birds when the winters are harsh.
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November 15, 2017 at 11:29 am
I know, it’s a tough time of year for them!
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November 15, 2017 at 7:45 am
Nice detail on her feathers and head through the branches. Little does she know this is just the beginning.
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November 15, 2017 at 7:58 am
Thanks Ellen. You have to admire their adaptability, many remain through the winter!
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November 15, 2017 at 6:16 am
Poor duck! Love the echoing colours in the pink stems and legs too.
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November 15, 2017 at 7:55 am
Thanks very much.
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November 15, 2017 at 4:59 am
You’re also a story teller. Your last sentence is self explanatory.
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November 15, 2017 at 7:54 am
Thank you!
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