Just over a week ago I blogged about a pair of fighting Common Goldeneyes. The male, while minding his own business, was attacked by the female and he retaliated viciously – eventually driving her off. But that wasn’t the end of the story. That post required 18 images and I didn’t feel like I could include any more in a single post.
So this morning’s post tells “the rest of the story”.
In order to set the stage I’ll begin with this image from the previous post to demonstrate the original fight between the two goldeneyes. After a prolonged and intense battle the male came out victorious and after the female left the immediate area in apparent defeat…
the male performed a glorious wing-flap…
in an apparent proclamation of his victory and his dominance. He looks so proud of himself. Touchdown!
But even before he settled completely back down into the water I noticed the female, perhaps 30′ away, performing a wing flap of her own. I believe he may be actually watching her do it in this photo.
This seemed to enrage the male and he aggressively rushed at her once again (this image is horribly soft but I needed to include it to effectively tell the story). The female skittered away across the water a few feet…
but the male pursued her in an obvious attempt to…
“cut her off at the pass”.
So the chase began again (another soft shot…).
The male got within a few inches of her…
and then let her go – this shot was taken just as he started to slow in the water which pushed up a large “bow wave” in front of him. Immediately after this photo was taken the female flew off downriver and stayed away the rest of the time I was there.
Prior to this fight these two birds were swimming together and foraging for food in very close proximity to each other (sometimes almost touching) so I thought they were a bonded pair. If they were it just goes to show that even love-birds can have their occasional spats.
Ron
PS – I’m having internet problems this morning so I wasn’t able to include any image techs…
I think it might be time for a caption contest on your blog, Ron. 😉
Love that they’re both claiming victory. The movement of the water over and around the male is pretty cool.
Love that wing flap. And the series.
My anthromorphic self is working overtime this morning. Megathanks.
Thank you, EC.
Nice series. Looks like my household. Maybe they have cabin fever too.
Ha, that’d explain it! They’re anxious for spring and migration.
A little bird told me their names are Angelina and Brad…is this true???
Dunno, Patty. I’ll ask them next time I see the ducks…
I’m glad to see the rest of the story. The “victory” shots are great. The one I find most interesting is the one where the male starts back after the female. It reminds me of behavior I’ve seen in Canada Geese, and I don’t expect it from Ducks of any sort (maybe because I don’t know them very well?).
Susan, I was looking at some goose photos like that just last night.
I love this series–part A and part B…especially part B. I remember that the female started it all. Love the attacks, the bow waves and the boastful looking triumphant wing flaps, especially the second and third images…although they look deadly serious, I find them pretty funny!
Thanks, Patty. That male did a lot of posturing that I wasn’t able to get photos of. They both gave my camera a workout.
Wonderful sequence, Ron! 🙂 “I won! No, I won” 🙂
Judy, that second shot of the wing flap is my favorite of the bunch. Reminds me of a prize fighter after winning a bout – he looks so full of himself.
He does! 🙂
Marvelous behavioral shots Ron!
charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte.
Very nice set, interesting series, thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Dick.
You hava a spat, then, instead of trying to make up, each of you brag about it. I suspect one or both are going to file.
Ha! 🙂
Perhaps they are siblings.
Could be, Neil.
I thought the same thing, Neil. Responses developed during maturation might allow close proximity with possible continuing sibling rivalry. Plus the two way aggression would prevent brother/sister mating.
You make a very plausible point, Pam.