Nature Journal April 8, 2015

Nature journal excerpt from April 8, 2015...

© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 29997052 - Mallard; Walton County, Georgia. April 8, 2015.

Springtime activity has really picked up on the water retention pond behind the animal shelter. A pair of Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors) made a surprise, one-day appearance. The Mallards are tightly bonded in their breeding pairs and chasing each other out of their respective territories on the pond. The drakes have even begun their seemingly brutal mating and mistreating of the hens.

Having been residents here for several years now, the Mallards are quite used to free handouts of cat food and bread. When they spot any person they’ll come flying from wherever they are on the pond right to your feet at the bank. I took advantage of this behavior to practice some autofocus tracking and high shutter speeds to capture some flight shots. I’d step out to the bank with cat food in one hand and my camera ready in the other. As soon as I’d toss the cat food in the water, the ducks would take flight my direction. I have a few seconds to focus and snap some shots. In flight shots are a lot more difficult than I anticipated!

Posted on 08 de abril de 2022, 02:27 PM by williamwisephoto