An infrequent sighting on our local pond was this Red Breasted Merganser. When we arrived he was off in the distance head tucked and floating as he snoozed on a chilly morning. After watching him, as well as the hoodies and shovelers on the pond for an hour or so, he woke up swam around a bit, dove for some crawfish and flew away. Luckily he swam our way and we were able get a good look at a good looking bird and snap a few photos.
A male Redheaded Duck enjoying the late afternoon sun on a chilly winter afternoon.
A Wilsons Phalarope enjoying the good life. Water, flowers and blue sky above. Not a bad combination and a bit of a mid-winters break as well.
A white faced Ibis flying over the reeds looking for their nest. Last spring we came across a large nesting site of Ibis, perhaps 300 in total were hidden in the reeds below. Todays warm weather in Colorado with a predicted temperature of 70 F has me wishing for springtime and the return of birds, but I know better. So until late April, early May, browsing through last springs photos will have to suffice.
A Brandt Goose assessing the conditions out at sea on a stormy day on the pacific coast. Not sure if he was looking to fly or swim but he looked around for a minute or two then hunkered down to wait out the storm as the rain fell in sheets.
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.
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.
A northern shoveler taking to the skies in the last rays of golden light. Photographed along clear creek in Denver, CO.
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 and ready to strike, even with feathers flying in the wind, an Egret looks for their next meal in the Elkhorn Slough, CA.
nature has no boss 
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