Female
Touch of Teal
A darling wood duck stands gracefully on a moss-covered perch at the edge of a rippling pond. In my mind, the highlight of this image is that little patch of teal on the wings. Such an appealing color.
I grabbed this shot while walking through the zoo in Topeka, KS. This was at one of their small ponds outside; not in any kind of enclosure.
You can get a better look at this duck’s feathering and colors by clicking on the photo.
All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me ([email protected]) for digital purchase and licensing options.
High Five Fly By
This female ruby-throated hummingbird seemed to be offering (and expecting) a high-five as she zipped by.
I finally got around to taking some hummingbird photos yesterday. I’m a bit rusty at the high-speed skills it takes to snap one of these. I’ll have to get out there more.
To view a larger, more detailed version of this photo, click on it.
Low Profile
This female Red-winged Blackbird was foraging through the tall grass on an early spring morning. She’s finding seeds dropped from a feeder that hangs above this spot.
The female looks quite a bit different from the male, with his jet-black body and bright red shoulders.
To view a larger version of this image, simply click on the photo.
Short Stuff
This cute rascal is a Ruby-throated hummingbird. A tiny, zippy bird that is one of my favorites…and most challenging to photograph. This particular one seems to be a short, stocky gal – but she wears it well, don’t you think?
I believe the hummingbirds that have entertained us this year have flown south for the winter. We haven’t seen one for a week or so.
To see a larger version of this image, click on the photo.
Angel’s Wings
This female Ruby-throated hummingbird was keeping an eye on me as I took her profile portrait.
Three things I love about this shot. 1) The sharp detail in the bird’s head. 2) The ghost-like blurring of the wings. 3) The little feathers on the neck that look like flecks of gold.
To see more of the detail, click the photo.
The Breakfast Club
During the few summer months at our rural Wisconsin home, it’s common to hear a distinctive humming sound. If you glance out the window, you’re likely to spot ruby-throated humming birds zipping back and forth, to and fro – competing for a few seconds at the best seat in the house.
I call this “The Breakfast Club” because this group – all females – were photographed around 6 am.
Click the image to view a larger version.