Working against a blustery headwind this coot makes their way to the edge of the ice for a chilly dip in the local pond. It was really windy that day and cold.
Tag: bird
Thieves in the pond
I have seen widgeons stealing food from other diving ducks, mostly coots, but never got to photograph this behavior. There is clearly some tasty green growth on the bottom of this lake which requires a bit of a dive to reach. What to do if you are only a dabbler, steal from the divers like these redheaded ducks. It appears even the mild mannered Gadwalls were getting in on the action.
Sunset
A northern shoveler taking to the skies in the last rays of golden light. Photographed along clear creek in Denver, CO.
Red Tailed Hawk
I think the fence post has to be one of the most valuable tools for a bird photographer. Without that perch it sure would be a heck of a lot tougher to get close enough for a decent photograph in the grasslands and plains were trees are sparse. This Red Tailed Hawk was happily perching on a post up near Walden, CO last summer.
Poised
Poised and ready to strike, even with feathers flying in the wind, an Egret looks for their next meal in the Elkhorn Slough, CA.
Between the Land and the Sea
Between the land and the sea what a place to be. Swallows flying free over Lake John near Walden, CO last summer.
Canvasback
The other day we spotted a few Canvasbacks in the local pond. This guy just awoke from a nap on the edge of the ice. We don’t see many Canvasbacks around our area in the winter so watching a few napping and others diving into the pond for a meal was quite a treat.
American Dipper
The Dipper is a winter visitor in our parts and this year has presented a challenge to photograph. He seems to enjoy the darkest part of the creek and blends in quite well with the small boulders in the stream making spotting him difficult. We waited for eternity for him to hop up on the small sunlight boulder in the photo but no luck.
We were happy to watch him foraging in these small rapids and get a glimpse or two of him above the water as he spent about 95% of his time head down collecting dinner. Hope this guy finds plenty of food and hangs around so we can get another opportunity to watch him.
Amazing bird for sure.
Patience
A lone Bufflehead and several flocks of Geese waiting for the fog to lift and sun to rise on a short December day.
Keeping warm was the main activity on the frigid morning -7F (-21C) along the South Platte river where I am sure the water was warmer than the air.
The Gadwalls
They make a nice couple don’t you think? It feels like just a day or two ago the ducks left town signaling the arrival of spring. Now the ducks are returning to the local ponds suggesting winter will soon show it’s face. A great time to to get out and have some fun.
nature has no boss 
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