Eurasian Wigeon

Gallery: AvianPosted February 16, 2011194 views19 comments

I was lucky to spot this rare Eurasian Wigeon (and mate) in among the 100 or so pairs of American widgeons and other ducks at a pond at the Sacramento NWR this last weekend. A very beautiful bird I have not seen before.
I'll post his mate in a few days.

D300s
700mm
Subject dist: 20m
1/320 sec, f/8
Mode: Av
Metering: Multi-segment
ISO: 320
White balance: Auto
Flash: Off

Comments

19 comments

Comment posted by Oscar Dewhurst on February 16, 2011 at 3:23 PM

Great shot Sandy - they are in the UK at the moment, but only for the winter - their call is really nice.

Oscar

Registered on August 6, 2009, 85 Posts, 502 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Harris on February 16, 2011 at 3:40 PM

Great capture. I have been looking for one of these down here. I like to pose and it gives me the details to look for. Thanks Sandy,

Harry

Registered on August 2, 2010, 169 Posts, 741 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on February 16, 2011 at 3:53 PM

Lovely pose, especially I like the slightly tilted head. Nice light, and you captured that fine plumage detail really well.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on February 16, 2011 at 3:58 PM

Always a nice find - we get a few here in central AZ every winter mixed in with flock of American Wigeon (and we had them in NJ every winter as well).

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on February 16, 2011 at 4:44 PM

Harry, they are pretty rare, but, in the winter, they hang out with the American widgeons. You might find a pair or two in a big flock, if you're lucky. The red head with buff forehead is the giveaway - nothing else has this. The redhead and cinnamon teal are the only other ducks this size that have the red heads, but neither have the buff.
Good luck!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Frye on February 16, 2011 at 5:29 PM

Very nice find and good job getting him separate from the masses of wigeons

Registered on February 3, 2007, 387 Posts, 1136 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Harbour on February 16, 2011 at 5:38 PM

Great capture of this rare bird. I have never seen one. The detail is very nice, and I like the pose.

Registered on January 4, 2008, 113 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by Andy Shepherd on February 16, 2011 at 7:08 PM

Very nice shot of a bird I have to photograph here in the UK, works for me as posted, nice one, Sandy.

Andy...

Registered on September 24, 2006, 123 Posts, 1254 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Marquart on February 16, 2011 at 10:13 PM

Excellent detail Sandy, very nice!

Registered on October 24, 2009, 126 Posts, 799 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on February 16, 2011 at 10:45 PM

Excellent, Sandy. Wonderful detail in the larger image, and a nice pose. Great job not blowing out that bill!

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Jay Levin on February 16, 2011 at 10:59 PM

Superb detail and exposure. The widgeon has wonderful color and markings. Terrific capture.

Registered on April 24, 2009, 21 Posts, 184 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on February 16, 2011 at 11:09 PM

I like the lower angle of this one. They are up here, but not in large numbers.

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by David Haynes on February 17, 2011 at 1:03 AM

Sandy,
You have a great eye. Very rare bird these parts and a beautiful one at that. The larger version really brings out the details that you can't see in the smaller version. Looking forward to seeing the mate Sandy. Thanks for sharing this.

Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on February 17, 2011 at 1:30 AM

He's a beauty Sandy!!! Sweet Photo

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on February 17, 2011 at 6:10 AM

Very nice image of this rare bird. Good detail and nice, low angle.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by antino cervigni on February 17, 2011 at 8:10 AM

Superb capture. Beautiful details and lighting
Regards Antino

Registered on April 17, 2010, 70 Posts, 202 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on February 17, 2011 at 3:46 PM

The detail and subtle color variations are really outstanding here, Sandy.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on February 17, 2011 at 5:36 PM

Excellent work, Sandy. We get a bird or two a year here in spring migration,. I've found them to be much more skittish than their American cousins. Fine work getting this tight even with a 700mm.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on February 17, 2011 at 5:51 PM

Nice one Sandy - always a bonus to get a top rate shot of a rarity as well as seeing it.

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments