Blue-winged Teal

June 2012 – Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington

A Blue-winged teal… not much to tell about this, except it was the only one I saw this day.

Cinnamon Teal

June 2012 – Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, WA

This pair of Cinnamon Teal were sticking close together… hanging out on the lake as dusk settled in. There’s a pretty decent “wildlife drive” around the southwest part of Tule Lake – basically a gravel road on top of a dike. This allows you to use your car as an impromptu (and imperfect) blind. The birds do get spooked from the car, but not as badly as if you were walking along.

Cinnamon Teal

May 2012 – Tule Lake, California

This pair of Cinnamon Teal were sticking close together… hanging out on the lake as dusk settled in. There’s a pretty decent “wildlife drive” around the southwest part of Tule Lake – basically a gravel road on top of a dike. This allows you to use your car as an impromptu (and imperfect) blind. The birds do get spooked from the car, but not as badly as if you were walking along.

Cinnamon Teal

Another pair of Cinnamon Teal in a different location on Tule Lake… and a different day. Note the orange feet!

Gadwall

May 2012 – Tule Lake, California

Ok, so it’s not the most striking bird… and not an impressive photo. But, it is a Gadwall… and… well, that’s what they look like.

Wood Duck

May 2012 – Eugene, Oregon

A female Wood Duck pauses on a log in a pond in Eugene, Oregon. These are somewhat shy ducks, but even the females are strikingly colored.

Mallard

May 2012 – Eugene, Oregon

By far our most common and visible duck… I wonder if they were more rare, would they be more beautiful? The males are kind of neat with their shiny green heads. As for this pair, I have to wonder… are they a couple? or just good buddies?

Mallard

This is why we have so many Mallards… they’re prolific breeders, and good parents.

Mallard

I couldn’t resist adding the action shot…