Late yesterday afternoon I was watching and listening carefully to a very large flock of Canada Geese for any sign of imminent takeoff from the water. I knew that they often leave the pond en masse at about 3:30 PM to go elsewhere for the night and I was after takeoff and flight shots. My primary goal was to get flight shots of geese with the snow-covered Wasatch Mountains in the background.
At precisely 3:32 some of the geese started honking excitedly, which is usually a precursor for takeoff. Seconds later, several hundred geese took off and headed southwest – a phenomenon that in some circles is known as “blast-off“.
The pandemonium caused by a couple of hundred 10 lb. geese trying to become airborne apparently caused a pair of Mallards to take off too. By then the geese were past me so I tried for grab shots of the Mallards.
1/5000, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
The male of the pair was in the lead so I focused on him. I ended up getting about a half dozen sharp photos of him in flight but in most of them there were other birds, in flight and on the water, in the background which ruined those shots. But two of them, if I cropped tightly, had no recognizable birds in the background.
As you may have guessed, those fuzzy black blobs in the background are coots on the far shore.
1/6400, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
This is my favorite of the two, largely because of the beautiful iridescent colors of the head and speculum of the drake.
It’s funny, and it probably isn’t logical, but I nearly always completely ignore Mallards on the water but when either sex is in flight I get just as excited about them as I do about most any other bird.
Ron
That second shot is magnificent a beauty shot.
I am worried about what protections will be rolled back in the coming years. Very worried.
Take Care,
Kaye
Thank you, Kaye.
Have always loved Mallards anywhere they pop up. The males are so colorful and I am drawn to animals that mate for life. I have always referred to ‘Canada Geese’ as ‘Canadian Geese.’ Assume I have been wrong all these years 🤣
“I have always referred to ‘Canada Geese’ as ‘Canadian Geese.’ Assume I have been wrong all these years.”
You assume correctly, Kathleen. It’s an easy error to make.
Wouldn’t that be a “gandermonium” with all those geese taking off? 😉😈 And OF COURSE those are coots photobombing the shots! Love it! 😹
I’m very fond of Mallards — in any position — and these shots are marvelous! I could see them as a pair of prints beautifully adorning a wall.
“Gandermonium” works for me Marty, even though half of them were presumably females. Thanks.
Terrific images of a species that is an exotic down here in NZ.
I particularly like the second image – well done
Interesting that you have them at all, Gary. Thanks.
Oooh. Ahhhh. Thank you.
😊
Wow! So beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing your photos. They mean a lot! Merry Christmas and best wishes for a fine new year!
Thanks, Mary. Geez it is almost Christmas, isn’t it.
Yes, pandemonium for sure when a gaggle of Geese suddenly takeoff. That 2nd shot of the Mallard is really beautiful. They are of course one of the most ignored birds or ducks, but the males really are so colorful and beautiful. Every once in a while when I am out I will take a few photos of them. Great shot.
Thank you, Everett.
Although shot #2 is stunning because of the brilliant blue speculum,
the lighting, particularly of the mallard’s head, and simplicity of the first photo really take my fancy…….and the soft “blobs” of the coots
provide good textural and value interest to the simple background
without detracting from the subject—-ELEGANT !
“and the soft “blobs” of the coots provide good textural and value interest to the simple background”
Good to know that coots are good for something, Kris (said tongue in cheek of course)
Wow the colors! Beautiful!
Thank you, Sue.
I agree with you about the preference for the second photo as well.
Amazing colors of the feathers in contrast to the subtle background.
Glad you like that one, Brett. Thanks.
Never would have guessed those blobs were Coots.
Yep, that downstroke photo reveals the best of that Mallard.
I have to admit, I don’t pay much attention to Mallards on the water or in flight.
I used to ignore them in flight too, Michael. But eventually I learned that to be a mistake when I have camera in hand.
Beautiful! I never tire of them either… 😉 Only reason I pay attention on the water is, after all these years, I have to decided if they’re Mallards or Male Common Merganzers!…… 😉
Large flocks of Canada Geese seem to be “gone” now here…..
You’re right, Judy. The males of those two species look a lot alike.
Beautiful photos, Ron. Mallards are amazingly colorful, I never get tired of seeing their colors as you have captured.
Thank you, Ed. I don’t either.