Drake Cinnamon Teal in flight, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Box Elder County, UtahDrake Cinnamon Teal in flight – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

Last week I mentioned that it isn’t easy to photograph some birds on the wing when I shared photos of a Northern Shoveler in flight taken at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. In addition to that I mentioned that ducks take off fast, fly fast and are a challenge to track. On the same morning that I photographed the drake Northern Shoveler flying by at the refuge I also photographed a drake Cinnamon Teal in flight.

In the past when I have tried to photograph Cinnamon Teals lifting off and in flight at the refuge I have been approaching them in a mobile blind. These ducks are very skittish at times and driving up on them seems to make them even more so.

Drake Cinnamon Teal in flight, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Box Elder County, UtahCinnamon Teal drake on the wing – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

I was sitting still in a “mobile blind” when both the shoveler and the teal swam up the canal prior to them taking flight. Perhaps in the future I will use my sit and wait approach when attempting to photograph ducks in flight at the refuge instead of driving up on them. That requires patience and that is something that I have in abundance. Not everyone does.

I was thrilled to photograph this drake Cinnamon Teal on the wing over the wetlands at the refuge last week. I especially liked how this photo showed his green speculum, his bright baby blue upperwing coverts, and a nice view of his red eye.

Now that spring has arrived I hope to spend more time at the refuge.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Cinnamon Teal photos plus facts and information about this species.