This morning, I am sharing two American Wigeon portraits. I felt fortunate to take them recently at one of my local urban ponds on a frosty, cold morning.
Drake American Wigeon portrait – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
This first photo, of a drake wigeon, delighted me. The duck was close, feeding, and paying me no mind. His iridescent green and bronze patch behind his eye glowed softly in the morning light as he foraged on the frosty grass. The catch light in his eye sparkled. Along with all of those things, I had a great view of his bill too.
Hen American Wigeon portrait – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
After I photographed the drake the hen American Wigeon moved closer to me. Even though she wasn’t as flashy as the male, her subtle beauty captivated me. Like the drake, I had a great view of her eye as she foraged on the grasses. I noticed that the color pattern on her bill was slightly different than the bill of the male.
It was at that moment that I saw spats. No, the ducks weren’t having a spat. Both of their bills looked like they had spats on to me!
I’m not referring to a spat between people, animals or even ducks. Nope.
In Public domain, Claude Rains wearing spats in 1912 Wikipedia
What is a spat?
In case you didn’t know, I am referring to the spats that were a type of accessory worn over shoes in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They were designed to protect shoes from elements and add a fashionable touch to formal attire. Spats were made of fabric or leather, fitted around the ankle and lower calf, and fastened with buttons or straps. See the photo above.
For the life of me, I can’t unsee the spats. Really, I’ve tried. I am going to need some serious mental scrubbing to unsee the spats that I am seeing on the faces of these American Wigeons!
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my American Wigeon photos plus facts and information about this species.
Well, you shared the thought and now it’s all I see when I look at the pictures. Beautiful shots… You can never unsee things.
Thank you so much for the smiles – and the beauty.
Beautiful shots and nice to point out the spats on the ducks bill.
I was afraid you were going to tell us that they used duck skins to make the spats.
Everything for fashion.
Lovely shots but, eek! Now you’ve got us all seeing spats and there is apparently no parachute!
Now I’m going to see spats every time I look at Wigeons! Gorgeous close-ups. Wow.
Bahahahaha. You’re right. I can’t unsee it either.