I found my first of season Common Goldeneye near a stand of rushes while walking around a local pond after a light skiff of snow had fallen overnight. Common Goldeneyes do not breed in northern Utah but they do overwinter here.
First of season drake Common Goldeneye in Salt Lake County – Nikon D500, handheld, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 800, Nikkor 70-300mm VR at 300mm, natural light
Even though I wasn’t close to the drake Common Goldeneye I took a few photos of him swimming in the reflections of the rushes. I suppressed the urge to dance around with glee at the edge of the pond only because I could see another bird photographer with his lens pointed in the direction of the goldeneye. I didn’t want annoy the photographer or flush the handsome duck.
Drake Common Goldeneye running across the Bear River – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/4000, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
When Common Goldeneyes arrive for the winter I know that I can find them in the marshes surrounding the Great Salt Lake, on small ponds, reservoirs up in the mountains, on the Great Salt Lake, and on rivers.
Male Common Goldeneye taking off from the Bear River – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/4000, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Common Goldeneyes can be quite skittish in some areas and will take off in a flash at times. In January when this male goldeneye took off from the icy Bear River I barely had time to lock onto him.
Common Goldeneye male lifting off from the Bear River – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/4000, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I wanted to photograph the drake in flight but just as he lifted off he turned and had his back to me. I hope that this winter I’ll have more opportunities to photograph this goldeneye species in flight.
Male Common Goldeneye preening on an urban pond – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
On urban ponds and rivers I have found Common Goldeneyes to be more cooperative and far less skittish. They forage, eat, sleep, display, have territorial disputes, and preen within easy reach of my long lens.
Male Common Goldeneye contortions – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
No matter what they are doing I enjoy having Common Goldeneyes in my viewfinder while they overwinter here in northern Utah.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Common Goldeneye photos plus facts and information about this species.
Wonderful series of action shots. Goldeneye’s sure are magnificent looking ducks. Thanks Mia.
I goof good! Oh well I cant help if my tounge got wrapped around my eye tooth and I couldn’t see wat I was typing!
Hi Sweetie ! You have realy a great group of photo !so bright colorsa nd the may poises o f it!
I was walking the pedestrian path in Moab on November 10th and photographed my first-ever Common Goldeneyes (I’m from Michigan). I didn’t know what species they were at the time due to the distance. It made my day to view the photos on the laptop and discover both males and females of the species!!
Another handsome fellow I have yet to see in our local ponds and wetlands. I’d be hard-pressed not to jump with glee too.
Sisters under the skin again. I have never (will never) seen these beauties but would definitely be jumping gleefully. Thanks Mia.
I haven’t seen any return to Long Island Sound yet this season, but I’m on the hunt for returning waterfowl. Not sure we’ve ever had such a warm start to November … it’s 69 degrees & windy at 9:15am! The buffleheads, hooded mergansers, brant & loons have been flocking in. I’m heading down to Greenwich Point shortly to walk & photograph nature …. Hope to see some of these special birds.
Love the photo of the Goldeneye in the reflections of the rushes! It’s a great sense of their habitat, and one that I love to be in.