Wood Duck drakes might be the most beautiful duck in North America but that beauty isn't always evident. When the birds first arrive here in Spring they are at their most colourful stage as displayed by this bird shot in early April.
Not my usual fare but it was a slow day. If these birds weren't so common I think people would start to see some of the beauty in them.
Rounding out the trio (so far) of baby ducks is this group of Ring-necked Ducks, nine ducklings in all who never seem to stray too far from their mother. They are skilled divers even at this early age.
Taken on the same day as the baby Wood Duck shots, this was one of a pair that were hanging out together in the same area. I watched as they chased one of the Wood Ducks away from their feeding area, the Black Ducks being slightly larger at the time.
There have been a few young ducklings swimming around in one of the local ponds lately, three species in all with the Wood Ducks being the most numerous. I have counted 14 in all, in a couple stages of development with the smaller ones being in the largest family group.
It was a cold morning today, about 5 degrees C, which meant there was a lot of low lying fog hanging over the water. It can make a nice backdrop for many bird images in my opinion including this shot of a group of Tree Swallows.
Vireos are a family of birds slightly larger than warblers on average. They are known for their repetitive songs, The Red-eyed Vireo in particular is a very incessant singer with a song somewhat similar to an American Robin.
