Teal

I photographed these Teal a few months ago. The light was perfect, bringing out their detail and the colours were really enhanced against the blue water. I love photographing Ducks and the Teal is one of my favorites.

Reflected Ducks

With some good weather I have been very busy out with the camera over the last week. From local waders to Otters, Red Deer and a 14 hour day photographing Red Grouse. I even visited the nearby Hilbre Island for a day having not been there for over 15 years, which is terrible really as it is on my doorstep.
This post is of a few incidental Ducks that I photographed that caught my eye with their nice reflections.

Gadwall

Teal

Teal

Shoveler

Shoveler

Ducks

A bit of sunshine at last!
So off for my first visit of the year to Martin Mere Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust in Lancashire to get some needed images under my belt. It was pretty quiet there with only a few ducks in front of the hide, I had hoped for Pochard but none to be seen, neither were there any Ruff which are usually present about now.
I decided then to concentrate on the Whooper Swans which I usually tend to take just a handful of shots of, I thought it was about time I paid them a bit more attention and my next post will show some of the results, but for now here are a few of the ducks which are looking their best at this time of year..

Pintail

Pintail

Teal

Wigeon Drake

Wigeon Female

A Change of Scenery

Having spent the majority of the last three months photographing woodland birds, I needed a change and headed into Lancashire. First stop would be Martin Mere Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust. It's always good fun photographing the Ducks and Swans there at this time of year, no two visits are ever the same and I was pleased to see plenty of Wigeon in front of the hide, this being a species I need more photos of. After a few hours I moved on to the first of several other sites, in search of displaying Great Crested Grebes. I did see three or four pairs performing their dance but not within photographic range, maybe next time. A consolation was being able to get some Tufted Ducks on lovely coloured water.

Wigeon

Shelduck

Teal

Tufted Duck

Great Crested Grebe