Late yesterday afternoon I could only watch as a single male Common Goldeneye, that was much too far away for quality photos, swam from my left to my right and eventually disappeared behind the shoreline reeds between us. So I almost completely forgot about him as I concentrated on other birds.
But then, maybe five minutes later, I heard the distinctive whistling sound of a goldeneye in flight coming from my right. He was the only goldeneye on the pond so I knew he’d taken off but he was still behind the vegetation so at first I didn’t know where he was or in what direction he was flying.
But soon he popped out from behind the reeds, flying to my left and very low across my field of view. He wasn’t leaving the large pond, he was just flying from one side of it to the other. I had less than three seconds to attempt to acquire him in my viewfinder, lock focus on him and fire off a very short burst before he was too far past me.
A tall order because by then he’d really built up a head of steam.
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Considering the circumstances I got lucky with this single photo that was sharp enough. He didn’t waste any energy gaining elevation because he was only going to the far side of the pond, as suggested by how close his left wingtip is to the water’s surface long after he’d taken off, I wish he’d been a little closer to me but I was still glad to get the shot.
Goldeneyes are speedy little ducks capable of flying nearly 45 mph so by the time I got my lens on him he was really moving. Such speeds so soon after takeoff require very fast wingbeats and goldeneyes attain 9 wingbeats per second which makes their wings whistle. Loudly. In this case I’d never have seen him in time if it hadn’t been for the sound of his whistling wings.
Ernest Hemingway, an inveterate hunter, said goldeneyes in flight make the sound of “ripping silk”. If you’d like to hear that sound, check out this episode of Birdnote (click on “Listen Now”).
That’s the sound I was hearing when this shot was taken.
Ron
Note: The large oval-shaped white spot between the bill and eyes of adult males of this species is normally solid white. This male has some color in that spot and I don’t know why.
What a fantastic exposure, especially considering your quick reflexes. The wing dip certainly adds interest, as does the cheek smudge.
Coincidentally, the photographer in the bird note link lives in our area.
We have Barrow’s Goldeneyes as well as White-winged and Surf Scoters here that all whistle as they wing it. One wonders if it is an adaption for something or just a side effect of evolution – if there is such a thing.
“One wonders if it is an adaption for something or just a side effect of evolution”
Once certainly does, Lyle. That’s something I’ve contemplated for a long time.
I’m with EC on EH’s “ripping silk” reference. Nah. But having listened to BirdNote (which I love!), I am amazed that it is the sound of wings and not vocalization that we’re hearing! So thanks for the fabulous pic and the link. Good on you, getting that shot! 😎
Thank you, Chris.
A great shot. Hemingway was not a seamstress though. Unless of course he was implying that his familiarity with the sound of ripping silk came about because women ripped off their silk negligees when they saw him. Either way he was wrong.
We also have a wing whistler. <a href = 'https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSzpuYpiXQ4'This link shows you the sound. I don’t however approve of the work that lead them to discover the cause.
EC, silk is above my pay grade so I wouldn’t know.
And thanks for the interesting link.
What?!!? 3 seconds to take this shot and the bird was zooming with 7ish wingbeats per second???!!!!! Ron you are an exceptional photographer. Just reading the speed of your reaction time and the bird speed makes my head spin! VERY impressive.
It worked out well this time, Kathleen. Most often it doesn’t.
Great shot Ron. This image clearly shows the capabilities of both the camera and, above all, the photographer.
Very well done.
Thanks very much, Jorge.
Very nice Ron. I have seen many Goldeneyes both male and female, but have never had them take flight close enough to hear them. His wing sure looks like it is within a half inch of touching the water. Good shot. In addition to taking flight I really enjoy watching them dive for crayfish etc.
Thanks, Everett. You’ll remember them when you hear them.
I can’t believe that’s the WINGBEATS making that sound ! If you–and the
recording–hadn’t told otherwise, I would have assumed that it is a vocalization!
You never know what awaits each morning with “Feathered Photography”–
Thanks !
“I would have assumed that it is a vocalization”
Kris, years ago when I first heard that sound I made the same assumption.
What a shot! If you were to get only one, this was a great one to get. The wing position is the winning element. If that wingtip is not touching the water it is so close that there seems to be no separation between that one feather and its reflection in the water.
Don’t know how you do it. Under the circumstances you describe, I’m not sure I could aim my binoculars fast enough to get a look. How you are able to do that with that big lens is beyond me.
Listened to Birdnote. Thanks for the tip. Was not aware of this site. Grateful for yet another lesson.
Thanks, Michael. Birdnote is always well done and usually has something interesting to say.
Thanks, Ron. I so enjoyed hearing this voice!! Best wishes for a fine holiday season and deep appreciation for your knowledge and work to spread it!
Thank you, Mary.
Well done, Ron! 🙂 I’ve heard that sound before tho didn’t know what made it….. Attractive bird – that wing is REALLY close to the water – wonder if it would flip him if it entered the water? 😉
Deep freeze coming next week…… 🙁
“that wing is REALLY close to the water”
It couldn’t get any closer without touching it.
In the next few days it’s supposed to get down to the low teens around here. That’s pretty cold for here in December.
I felt like I was right there next to you (but not as cold) during your exciting narrative. Great shot despite distance and speed of flight.
Very good to know, Kenneth. I was afraid I was too verbose in describing something as ‘simple’ as a duck taking off and in flight.