This morning I’m sharing photos of a Gadwall drake resting in snow plus a bonus photo of the leucistic American Coot taken yesterday in afternoon light. For a little while the sky finally cleared yesterday and I wanted to take photos of something in good light. It felt like I hadn’t seen sunshine for far too long.
Gadwall drake resting in snow – Nikon D500, f9, 1/1250, ISO 320, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The first bird I photographed yesterday afternoon was a handsome Gadwall drake resting in the snow at one of my local ponds. The rich burnished browns of his plumage matched the tones of the tree trunk behind him. I love photographing ducks and snow at the same time so I was more than happy to have this drake Gadwall in my viewfinder. Then I spotted a young male Hooded Merganser and took photos of him too. I’ll share those images another day.
I was surprised that this drake wasn’t accompanied by a hen Gadwall. The last time I was at this pond there was a pair of Gadwalls patrolling the pond together. The female could have been resting near him but on the other side of the mound of snow. Or maybe she was in the water below him and I just couldn’t see her.
*Bonus Photo*
Leucistic American Coot in afternoon light – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1000, ISO 320, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I also wanted to share this bonus photo of the leucistic American Coot that I wrote about yesterday. The wonky looking coot stuck around overnight. I relocated it, pointed it out to someone else, and I was able to photograph it in better light. The coot still didn’t come close but I am going to keep hoping that I will have a chance to fill my viewfinder with this awesome bird. I’m a bit determined to do that. Okay. More than a bit. Doggedly determined.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to view more of my Gadwall photos plus facts and information about this species. Â Click here to view more of my American Coot photos plus facts and information about this species. Click here to see posts on other leucistic birds that I have found and photographed.
What a beautiful photo of the gadwall. Amazing to look at. Thanks and Happy New Year.
All those gorgeous markings on the Gadwall! And so glad you saw the leucistic coot again — and was able to share it!
The Gadwall is gorgeous! So fun to find the coot, it will be interesting if it sticks around.
Thank you for both these (very different) stunning images. I am so glad that you had some sunshine and that you and your friend could see these beauties.