They're Back!

self | Nov 28,2011 | swampsniper

[SWAMPSNIPER]

I got out just ahead of an oncoming storm today, the Mallards are back The hens were flaked out on the slope around the pond, out of reach, but several drakes were parading along the edge.

Most of the local ponds are still low, this one catches runoff from a large parking lot.

I saw a lot of Wood Storks today, but none I could get close to.

[Condor51]

About time they got there. They left IL a couple months ago for warmer climes. They must be slow fliers ;-)

Now. If I could somehow get rid of those *^$#ing 'Native' Canadian Geese, it'd be perfect. It's against IL Law to disturb, hassle and for sure KILL THEM, friggen idiots. They don't have to walk though the goose poop which all over the parks and on every golf course

(which is why I carried a 3 Iron when I *could* golf --- whack!.. oops, my bad. sorry)

[Condor51]

*** I have never seen a red headed duck in all my life! Are they only in some parts of the U.S.? ***

I'm pretty sure that FReeper rustbucket shot that 'somewhere near' Austin TX.

He used his his 'Canon EOS 7D' and a 400mm telephoto lens (shutter: 1/1600 sec, aperture: f14.0, ISO of 2500) on 2011:11:21 (Nov 21, 2011) at 9:19 am

:-)

ps: rustbucket, nice camera. for sure out of my price range.

[rustbucket]

Sibley's "Guide to Birds" shows that the "Redhead" (I see that is what they call it, not Red Head), ranges pretty much all over the US except maybe parts of New England. Here is a map I found on the web: Redhead.

I had never seen so many redheads at one time, although I have seen many of them at this lake before. Here is a mix of male and female redheads.

[rustbucket]

The lake is actually at Port Aransas on the Texas coast. The Canon EOS 7D has a 1.6 crop factor, which means a 400 mm lens has the effective focal length of 640 mm (1.6 times 400 mm). The lens is a Canon 100-400 mm zoom lens which costs about as much as the camera.

My wife took the first picture I posted with my old Canon EOS 20D and a smaller Canon zoom lens.

[momtothree]

I live in Maryland and have never seen one. Their coloring is gorgeous (almost like an auburn?) Very stately and attractive males (the female are blah... just like all the female birds.)

[Silentgypsy]

Breathtaking! Thank you!

[3D-JOY]

So glad to see:...”you’re back”.

I have missed the pictures.

Thanks

[handmade]

You are back- I was worried about you.

The pictures are just so great.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

I’ve sort of had my wings clipped, we are trying to dig our way out of the Obama economy. With three people using one car to get to work in different places, different times and over a wide area my rambles take on a low priority.

[handmade]

I really do enjoy your posts of the birds and flowers- I was just hoping it was not health issues keeping you from posting.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

Until about a year ago my daughter and son in law worked from a home office. The vice president of the company they worked for embezzled $250,000.00, lost it in Vegas, and skipped to Mexico. The IRS is after her now.

The company folded, no jobs around here, so we had a rough year.

My daughter and son in law both found decent jobs, finally, but nowhere near home or each other, and the hours don't match. There is a lot of scrambling around getting to work.

Another car isn't in the budget for a while.