Having fun with anthropomorphism.
Yesterday morning at Bear River MBR I made multiple attempts at photographing ducks, mostly Common Goldeneyes, taking off and in flight without a lot of success. The birds were just too spooky and the sidelight was too harsh and directional.
But I captured one series of photos that I couldn’t resist having some fun with.
Usually the ducks took off en masse before I even got my pickup stopped. But this time they waited a split second too long so I was able to get a small group of them in my viewfinder just as they exploded to the north. They all seemed to be in a race to see which of them would be leading the pack when they became airborne.
This male Common Goldeneye was really striding out and appeared to be gaining on the three ducks in front of him when…
a sneaker female Canvasback came up from near the back of the pack and…
continued to gain ground, or uh… water, on him.
She pulled almost neck and neck with him before…
passing him by and…
leaving him in the proverbial dust. He looks a little flummoxed if you ask me.
He didn’t take it well.
As soon as she passed him he veered off, settled back down in the water and just quit. A poor loser with hurt pride?
Perhaps he didn’t like being bested by another species. Or by a girl. Or both.
Ron
Do you think either, or ANY, of them are “mudders”?…
I only know that term referring to Gadwalls.
LOLOLOL This is a FUN series! She looks like the hounds of heck are on her tail!
Glad you enjoyed it, Arwen.
Maybe with duck hunt over they will be more approachable for a short time before they leave for nesting.
Maybe. Sure hope so.
Your “Day at the Races” brightens another gray day here in central Washington. Thank you!
Thanks, Carolyn.
Great story in photos. At the risk of being equinomorphic, her neck was stretched like a horse racing for the finish.
“equinomorphic”
I do believe you’ve coined a new word, Kent. I like it.
I didn’t know the winter Duckolympics were going to be held in Utah. Looks to me like the real gold medalist is the one not in the picture. All you see are the splashes between the two visible contestants, although having been unable to attend this year I might be misjudging the action. I suspect the Goldeneye dropped out because third place would sound awkward: “The Goldeneye gets the bronze”.
Lyle, I’ve had enough of any kind of Olympics here in SLC. The last one was just awful for many of us living here. We don’t need the development, or the crowds, or the increased pollution or the political and financial hijinks.
There were actually three other ducks in front of this Goldeneye but out of frame.
“Three ahead of him”…no wonder he dropped out…he had no chance to even “Place”…
Clever. And fun. Thanks for the early morning smiles. He didn’t have anywhere he ‘really’ needed to go anyway…
You’re right, EC. The rest of the ducks only went to the next patch of open water nearby.
I’m imagining Looney Tunes music as the soundtrack for today’s post. I think she took the wind out of his sails — literally.
Thanks for giggle after another sleepless night.
You need to get some sleep, Marty. I just took a nap – something you might try.
I loved the headline – what an outstanding series. Yes we guys don’t like to be beaten by girls. In 6th grade a few of us guys lined up to race a girl named Gail laughing at the idea that she thought she could beat us. She beat us by a wide margin. Have never forgotten that. Late start this morning Ron – didn’t have my first sip till 8:02.
Wow, that is late for coffee, Everett. I’d be in a coma by then.
Very fun, and funny, Ron. Great photos!
Goldeneyes are about the most skittish birds I know, they must have evolved this behavior to avoid predators, however I wonder how many calories are spent versus consumed with all this nervous energy 🙂
Ed, I swear there must be some mixing of genes between our Goldeneyes and ravens. Both species will sometimes allow my pickup to approach them reasonably close but the instant I stop they take off, before my pickup even rocks back.
I used to love the whistling of their wings when they take off. But I’m beginning to have mixed feelings about that sound because it’s just another reminder that I’ve failed. Again.
Thanks Ron. I really enjoyed the photos and your commentary.
Good. Thanks on both counts Thomas.
Funny! 🙂 “What the hell – can’t let HER beat me!” 😉 Anthropomorphisms are fun if nothing else – IMO it often isn’t that….. Captured the splashes well! 🙂
Thanks, Judy.
If the canvasback is not flying, her legs never show. Was she running on the surface, too?
Pam, just before the first photo of her she had risen just high enough that her feet could no longer touch the water. So she was actually in flight.
I like your story. It’s quite possible it’s true. When we’re excessively working against anthropomorphism, we lose track of what animals are capable of. And the fact that we are animals, too. And the fact that we have a lot in common, including a high percentage of dna and a lot of evolutionary history. For more, see *Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are?*
by Frans de Waal.
Of course it’s always helpful to think of alternative explanations. Could it be that he was only taking off because he didn’t like being so close to her, and now that she’s out of the way, he can settle down? Who knows!
Thank you so much for capturing this observable behavior.
Yup, “who knows”. Thanks, Cheryl.
OMG! Hilarious! Wish I had been there to see that but viewing these photos and reading your story crafted from the experience has just made my morning smile. Such great fun. And a real keeper series to laugh over for years.
Good, I’m glad you found it as amusing as I did Granny Pat.
Thx for the hearty laugh this morning Ron!
You’re welcome.
Seems to have taken the wind out of his sails. A fun set of shots!
I’d say so. Thanks, Woody.