A new neighbor and friend loves ducks. He's in luck. There are several hanging around the ponds in our condo complex. He told me that one day as he sat by the pool, he was surprised to see a pair of them land inside the fence at the clubhouse. He found them entertaining and a little comical. They were thoroughly enjoying themselves. I had seen them there another time and got a kick out of it too. Of course I'm not sure the condo association would have been as amused as we were by it, but there they were.
I told him I'd be delighted to get a photo of the ducks near the pool if I could. OK, actually I told him if he'd read my blog, I'd post his ducks. :)
So as I do so often, I set up shop with my camera, found an inconspicuous spot and waited. And waited. It was unseasonably hot then, but I lay out in the sun anyway moving as little as possible appearing for all the world as if I was asleep. When photographing birds it's not uncommon to stay quiet in this manner for hours before getting a shot. And sometimes...still come up empty. I'm afraid that was the outcome here: I didn't see a thing. :)
Well no one ever said bird photography was a day at the beach. :)
At least I got a photo of my duck blind.
In the end, I got tired of waiting and took these through the pool fence. :) I hope he likes them.
Distinguishing Marks: Male has green and sometimes blue-green iridescent head, bright yellow bill, white neck ring. Female is pretty much brown with fancy little blue spots on the wing (the male has them too.) The female says "Quack." Really.
It's easy to overlook this very common duck (unless of course they are in your pool.)
Boring Fact: these are dabbling ducks, so called because instead of diving, they nibble on or just below the surface. They're the ones you see tail feathers tipped straight up, head straight down in the water. What's cool is how they take off from water in one sudden burst of motion. Impressive. (And important if you're in a small swimming pool.) Diving ducks on the other hand are the ones you see pattering along on top of the water in a more desperate attempt to get air-born.
