Duck behavior has a rhythm to it: eat, preen, paddle, splash… then repeat. This Blue-winged Teal added some stretching moves to his paddling that showed off his color.
Occasionally they make a big splash as this trio did, moving about 10 feet down the pond as an alligator raised his head nearby. Reflections from the budding trees on the other side of the pond added some color interest to the water.
No one was hurt and calmness returned almost immediately. The direction and slow movement of this male Teal swimming back up the pond put him in the perfect spot for exposure and reflection.
Click on any photo for larger view.
Wonderful photos, the last one especially!
Thank you, Belinda!
Another awesome reflection capture, Ellen, well done! I’m still trying to get my ‘first’ photo of a Blue-winged Teal. 🙂
Thank you, Donna! I love the reflection shots. Right up there with in-flights, like the Pintails you have captured!
Same as me, I love those challenges of inflight and reflections the most in birding photography. 🙂
Such beauty…its like a summer lazy day.