Showing Off

Gallery: AvianPosted May 14, 2011147 views11 comments

During the mating season it's always an added bonus when you get to observe our feathered friends pairing off, hanging out together and "Doing their thing." I love the striking Ruddy Ducks especially when they are all dressed up in their mating plumage and bright bill blues. I was fortunate to come across 4 pair at the refuge yesterday. Here is a drake doing their classic mating dance to dazzle the girls. Tail raised up to 90 degrees, neck enlarged, raised "horn like crest feathers and the rapid bill thumping against his breast at the waterline producing bubbles. I'm just not sure if the girls are more impressed with the breast thumping or amount of bubbles produced.

Larger version available, thanks for stopping!

canon 40D
canon 600mm f4.L IS USM + 1.4TC
F/8 1/500 ISO 200
about 20% cropped off left & top for composition

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by David E Lester on May 14, 2011 at 10:03 AM

Nice photo, color, comp, BG...I like the way the bubbles cling to its front feathers..!!

Registered on March 24, 2010, 155 Posts, 793 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on May 14, 2011 at 1:40 PM

I wish we I can get an opportunity to photograph this species Craig, because they are super cool! I wish the blacks had a tad more detail, but it is still one of the better Ruddy shots I think I have seen. Very well done!

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Canuel on May 14, 2011 at 3:38 PM

Nice shot. I like the pose of the bird and the colors of the shot. Was wondering where they bubbles came from, glad I didn't have to ask.

Registered on September 12, 2010, 53 Posts, 660 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on May 14, 2011 at 6:47 PM

Most interesting behaviour well captured. Does it need a bit of counter-clockwise rotation?

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on May 14, 2011 at 7:38 PM

Great action and attitude Craig - love the bow wave

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Ken Archer on May 15, 2011 at 2:00 AM

Rudy's are probably my favorite duck to watch in the spring, and I'm still hoping for a opportunity like this one. You caught it all here Craig, a great display of that animated attitude

Ken Archer

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

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on May 15, 2011 at 10:37 AM

Very interesting image, Craig. This guy puts on a great show and your timing was right on.

Registered on April 10, 2009, 292 Posts, 3967 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on May 15, 2011 at 12:19 PM

the larger image is very nice Craig. If this were mine I would brighten it globally as it is a bit too dark overall IMO. Also a bit of CCW rotation I think.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Monica Siri on May 15, 2011 at 3:24 PM

Craig,
I like this species a lot. Very nice behavioral action so well captured. I agree about a bit of CCW rotation. Well done.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments

Comment posted by Craig Strand on May 15, 2011 at 3:38 PM

When the Ruddy's thump their chest with the bills they tip or lean forward. This image captures part of the lean and I think thats the reason for comments suggesting some CCW rotationn. Thank you for your suggestions and observations.

Registered on March 30, 2008, 416 Posts, 2885 Comments

Comment posted by David Sparks on May 17, 2011 at 7:35 AM

Congrats on seeing and capturing this interesting behavior - and a fine capture indeed!

Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments