They're Back!

self | Nov 28,2011 | swampsniper

[SWAMPSNIPER]

I got out just ahead of an oncoming storm today, the Mallards are back The hens were flaked out on the slope around the pond, out of reach, but several drakes were parading along the edge.

Most of the local ponds are still low, this one catches runoff from a large parking lot.

I saw a lot of Wood Storks today, but none I could get close to.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

pinglist

[smokingfrog]

They look like they’re having a good time.

[PA Engineer]

Great stuff. Appreciate your threads. Thanks.

[null and void]

[tubebender]

My neighbor had a small pond that attracted a couple of Wood Ducks but it silted up. What setup would I use to photograph photo postcards? I have a Nikon D80 with a couple of lens but no Macro. The cards are 3 1/2 X 5 1/3...

[PGalt]

Thanks, SWAMPSNIPER. Great pics.

[mojitojoe]

Great photos!!

[SWAMPSNIPER]

You might do better with a flatbed scanner, probably less costly than another lens too.

[goat granny]

My daughter had 2 peking ducks, a large snapper in the pond took one and a hawk took the other...so she got a coupld of Mallards, suppose to be male and female. Both males and chased the dogs and cats..She finally took them about 3/4 mile through the woods to a pond. They found their way home. The next time she took them to a pond about 1 mile back in the woods...they didn't return this time...No more ducks for her...

I have been to the pond 3/4 mile from her home and I couldn't find my way home from there if they left me...(lucky they didn't kick me out of the golf cart)

[SWAMPSNIPER]

Wild ducks come with a built in GPS!

[sayuncledave]

Don’t forget what Lincoln said: “with mallards toward none.” ;)

[goat granny]

She raised them from day olds and if you take them far enought, they don’t return...they didn’t fly either so must have walked home the first time..they couldn’t fly over a couple of feet and that was when they chased the barn cats...Devil ducks with nasty dispositions....LOL

[tubebender]

I tried a Epson Artisan 710 and wasn’t satisfied. Many eBay sellers use a camera setup. I’ll do some more experimenting

[rustbucket]

The red head ducks are back in Texas too. Food is scarce for them because of this year's drought.

[SFConservative]

Alright!! Missed your waterbird pics for a while and very glad to see them back!

[rustbucket]

500 to 1,000 red head ducks would take off at a time, then circle the lake, and land back in the same lake. This shot of some flying by was taken at 640 mm effective focal length.

[left that other site]

Those are terrific shots! :-)

[momtothree]

I have never seen a red headed duck in all my life! Are they only in some parts of the U.S.? They look beautiful!

[momtothree]

Beautiful pictures, Swampsniper. I personally think the Mallards are just beautiful. Their coloring is so “jewel” like. I had to laugh at the one picture with the duck shaking water off... such a comical expression directed at you.