As a bird photographer who enjoys photographing birds taking off and in flight, I’m always looking for behavioral cues that might give me a better chance of capturing explosive takeoffs before the bird leaves the frame. Largely because of the gorgeous colors of the males I try for Cinnamon Teal takeoffs every chance I get, but their takeoffs are so incredibly fast I’m nearly always too late.
But lately I believe I’m beginning to see a behavioral pattern that might give me a bit of an edge.
During breeding season male Cinnamon Teals are well known for aggressively guarding their mates. Males follow females everywhere they go, almost like their shadows, but until a few days ago I’d never put two and two together and used that predictable behavior as an aid in capturing male Cinnamon Teal takeoffs.
Based on my observations it’s my working theory that during breeding season, when a pair of Cinnamon Teals are together, the female usually (nearly always?) takes off first and the male follows her a split second later. So if I want to capture the male taking off I can watch for (or listen for) her explosive takeoff as a cue that the male is about to do the same thing.
In other words, the female gives the alert bird photographer a slight pre-warning that her mate is about to take off too. That might be all the edge I need. So five days ago, on a heavily overcast morning at Bear River MBR, I put my theory to its first test.
1/2000, f/5.6, ISO 1600, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
For most of the time I was with this Cinnamon Teal pair I focused on the male while his mate wandered around the edge of the frame. But this time I kept the male framed in the best position for takeoff but watched (and listened for) the female’s takoff as my cue to push the shutter button, presuming the male would immediately follow. And by golly, it worked.
This is the first shot in my burst. As expected, the female is already half out of the frame (at upper right) but I caught her mate right at takeoff, on the first downbeat of his wings.
Obviously it isn’t a quality photo. The light was atrocious and the male took off away from me but as a test of my half-baked theory I find it reinforcing. So in situations like this I’ll continue to watch (and listen for) the female for my cue that the male is about to take off.
It isn’t much of an edge but with Cinnamon Teal takeoffs, every little bit helps.
Ron
Observation is half the game.
Yup.
Fascinating (theory and test)! As is Dan Gleason’s comment.
This photo brings to mind a couple I used to see in the NYC subway years ago. He walked his wife to the station every morning, holding her hand until the very last moment when she went thru the turnstile. His expression as she left was very much like Mr. Cinnamon Teal’s.
Carolyn, sounds like that couple at the subway were a strongly bonded pair too.
Congratulations on a successful shot (more or less) and a successful “proof” of your “theory”. Many, many thanks for sharing your observations and conclusions with the rest of us. Wishing you many more high quality shots as a result.
Thanks, Granny Pat. I’ll take it as evidence of my theory. Proof is still a ways off but things are looking promising.
Ron,
Always an education! Thanks.
Stephen
Thank you, Stephen.
I love the femaie’s lower body hanging out of the top of the frame, that’s hilarious!
“that’s hilarious!”
I guess it is, Stephanie. At the photographer’s expense! 🙂
Great observation & very helpful technique tip for those of us always trying to improve our photos. Thanks for sharing that tip!
Thanks very much, Quentin. It’s primarily for folks like you (serious bird photographers looking for ways to get even better photos) that I wrote this post.
The power of observation and continuous pursuit of excellent take off photos – science and art at it’s finest!
Much appreciated, Kathleen.
HOW I love starting my day with beauty and an education. Megathanks.l
Glad you found and enjoyed both, EC. Thanks.
Great observation and it makes perfect sense – for ducks. With regard to Kris’s question, I don’t know the answer but I suspect this is something you would find mostly with ducks. Ducks spend the winter forming and reforming pair-bonds. By spring, the breeding bond is well established and when the female leaves for her breeding site, the male is usually so tightly bonded he follows wherever she goes. At the breeding site he is very attentive to her. But male ducks pay no role in raising young and once breeding is over the bond soon falls apart. In some species males leave as soon as the female begins nest building, others wait until she has eggs. Ruddy Duck males may even stay until the eggs begin to hatch. Once the pair-bond dissolves, males are on their own. Some stay in the area and some may go many miles away. So it makes sense that this time of year you would see males closely following their mate. With the later breakdown of pair-bond, those “families” you see of male, female and ducklings are likely not families at all. He likely had nothing to do with fathering those young but he is finding other females with which to attempt to mate and then be off. You will probably not find such a tight takeoff behavior in geese or swans. They form life-long mates and males don’t follow the female’s every move so closely. Males are also good parents, unlike ducks
Excellent background, Dan. Thanks for providing it. I hope Kris sees it.
“Wait for me!” Appreciate your explanation of how and *why* you made this capture—and, of course, love the beautiful colors of the male. But I’m especially fond of his mate’s dangling legs and tail feathers as she makes her splashy getaway. 😬
“I’m especially fond of his mate’s dangling legs and tail feathers”
Even I agree, Chris, sort of. One of the few times I’ve appreciated a cut off bird.
I didn’t know what to expect based on the title. I needn’t have feared, though. As always a photo and story fit for the classroom, which, of course, this is. And one I learn from at each session.
Yesterday’s link to predator satiation led to this factoid: “A mite also holds a speed record: for its length, Paratarsotomus macropalpis is the fastest animal on Earth.”
“I didn’t know what to expect based on the title”
Lyle, I wondered about that when I composed the title. And then I thought, “Nope, don’t worry about it. Only my mind would go to a place like that”. 🙂
I think Cheetahs and Peregrine Falcons would be a mite perturbed to hear this news! 😂
Very interesting Ron. I rarely see the Cinnamon Teals here so have never tried a take off. Whenever I have seen them they are just lazily floating around the lake with no indication of a possible takeoff. Will remember this though if I ever see them in a position for a possible liftoff.
PS – I like Kris’s questions.
Thanks, Everett. Yes, Kris asks good questions.
Brilliant Ron! I think you are on to something and shame on us for using our eyes more often than our ears, in a case like this for behavioral take offs, during breeding season. And a beautiful wing spread that you’ve caught too. Love the legs that have theoretically pushed through the water and with closing his webbed feet, you’ve then smartly caught this take off. Your spidey-senses have proven true, and you shared that with us. You’re still teacher at heart. Thank you!
“Spidey-senses” made me smile, Deb. Thank you.
I like it! 🙂 REALLY captures the back of the Teal! Alwlays something to learn photographing birds – keeps it interesting for sure both for you and us!
Thank you, Judy.
Crafty of you to have made this observation… I wonder if it also applies to
other species of birds ? “Ladies first”, said the handsome Cinnamon Teal !
But it doesn’t apply when mating season is over ?
“I wonder if it also applies to other species of birds”
Kris, I suspect it applies at least to some other duck species, to some degree. Other teal species especially, but I have far less experience with them.
When mating season is over, male Cinnamon Teals no longer stick like glue to females.
Kris, see Dan Gleason’s comment above.
I like the shot. Partly because it’s an angle we don’t normally see and I like the feet dangling in the upper right frame. The color of the male is still pretty stunning even in the low light.
Thanks Brett, and I agree. I think a photo with significant flaws can still be quite interesting and for me this one is an example of that.