Yesterday morning I took a brief walk at my local pond and was thrilled to see a small flock of Redhead ducks resting together on the surface of the pond.
Redhead drake flapping his wings on an urban pond – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Redheads are year round residents here in northern Utah. There has been one drake at this urban pond all summer long that didn’t leave for the marshes during the breeding season. Yesterday was the first time I’ve seen more than that one drake in quite sometime.
The light was crappy plus I didn’t have my camera with me yesterday morning so I didn’t take a single photo of the Redheads of the pond but I was happy to see them. During this time of the year when good light can be an issue that keeps me from traveling far into the field it is nice to know I can get to the pond when there is a break in the clouds.
Redhead hen being shadowed by a drake – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/3200, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Usually I see Redheads on the pond all winter along with other ducks, geese, gulls, coots, grebes and more.
Having local areas where I can get out to look for birds when the winter weather is cruddy can be wonderful and at times exciting too.
The weather this week is supposed to be a mix of clouds, rain, and snow until Friday, so I will probably head to the river or this pond several times this week if there is a break in the clouds. I might head down there even if it is cloudy just to stop the twitching I get when I have been out of the field for too long. Today, because of high winds, I’ll be staying home.
Life is good.
Mia
The drake Redhead above was photographed in 2018 and the hen being shadowed by a drake was taken in 2020. Both images were taken at my local pond.
Click here to view more of my Redhead photos plus facts and information about this species.
This handsome fellow belongs on the cover of GQ! Love the eye contact. Thanks Mia.
Handsome couple!
I love Redheads! I’m looking forward to their return to SW CT. Yesterday we had our 1st returning flock of Brant – and I was able to watch Bufflehead, Hooded Mergansers & American Black Ducks at my local nature preserve. I’m loving the fabulous Fall weather we are experiencing – but do love the waterfowl too!
Just beautiful. I am glad that you have somewhere close to hand to relieve those twitches.
Love seeing these Redheads on the pond. We don’t have Redhead visitations much around here but occasionally do. An amazing morning here. Mists rising up from a midnight rain. Feels like waking in heaven. Thanks for the morning ducks!