Butterballs or as they officially are known as......
Jun 4, 2017 00:19:47 #
......Ruddy Ducks. These are such cool and comical little ducks. They do a mating ritual called bubbling, which is really humerus to watch. Ruddy's have two complete color phases. In the fall and winter months they are a brownish colored duck without much eye catching appeal, but in the late spring and summer, the males get a beautiful ruddy or reddish color with bright blue bills. They are the only waterfowl species that I photograph during the summer months. Here are a few shots:
shaking the water off
Momma with a couple ducklings
This guy is doing a matting ritual called "bubbling." I get a kick out of watching the males do it.
This is an unusual male. Notice he does not have a distinct white face patch like the others. I've never seen one with a white colored face like he has.
He politely waved good-by to me, before departing.
shaking the water off
Momma with a couple ducklings
This guy is doing a matting ritual called "bubbling." I get a kick out of watching the males do it.
This is an unusual male. Notice he does not have a distinct white face patch like the others. I've never seen one with a white colored face like he has.
He politely waved good-by to me, before departing.
Jun 4, 2017 01:37:47 #
Jun 4, 2017 02:07:38 #
Jun 4, 2017 03:14:10 #
Jun 4, 2017 06:00:03 #
Lame-Duck wrote:
......Ruddy Ducks. These are such cool and comical little ducks. They do a mating ritual called bubbling, which is really humerus to watch. Ruddy's have two complete color phases. In the fall and winter months they are a brownish colored duck without much eye catching appeal, but in the late spring and summer, the males get a beautiful ruddy or reddish color with bright blue bills. They are the only waterfowl species that I photograph during the summer months. Here are a few shots:
Great set of photos of Ruddy Ducks (Oxyura jamaicensis). You photographed them in California? No indication that they are rare, but I'm not familiar with them. I wonder do they avoid places with the more common Mallard Duck (Anas platyrhynchos) and Common Teal (Anas carolinensis)? I guess next time I'm near water I have to look for Ruddy Ducks.
Jun 4, 2017 06:42:16 #
[quote=Lame-Duck]......Ruddy Ducks. These are such cool and comical little ducks. They do a mating ritual called bubbling, which is really humerus to watch. Ruddy's have two complete color phases. In the fall and winter months they are a brownish colored duck without much eye catching appeal, but in the late spring and summer, the males get a beautiful ruddy or reddish color with bright blue bills. They are the only waterfowl species that I photograph during the summer months. Here are a few shots:
Mike, excellent series. Bubbling, I need to remember that for the future.
Greg
Mike, excellent series. Bubbling, I need to remember that for the future.
Greg
Jun 4, 2017 08:46:13 #
I love the quality of these shots! The ducks are adorable - handsome fellow and the lovely little family. I can see why they are called butterballs!
Jun 4, 2017 10:08:35 #
Jun 4, 2017 12:02:39 #
What a delightfull set, Mike and such a beautiful species..... I can see why you love to photograph them in the spring!! Your captions gave me a chuckle, especially waving goodbye!!
Jun 4, 2017 15:30:41 #
They are very attractive ducks with adorable babies Mike all excellent captures. Thank you for the interesting information.
Jun 4, 2017 19:27:20 #
Jun 4, 2017 19:28:58 #
Jakebrake wrote:
Great set Mike. Well shot.
Michael, thank you. I appreciate the nice compliment.
Jun 4, 2017 19:30:39 #
angler wrote:
Excellent set Mike.
Jim...I always appreciate your kind works; thank you very much.
Jun 4, 2017 19:44:47 #
lamiaceae wrote:
Great set of photos of Ruddy Ducks ( i Oxyura jama... (show quote)
Hey Mike...thank you for the compliment about the photos, and I appreciate your stopping by and having a look.
Yes they were all shot close to home here in California, and they are a very common duck in our state. I wasn't trying to say that they are rare here, but instead, I was trying to point out that one of them lacks the distinct white face patch that all males ruddy's typically have. Check out the 4th and 5th photos and notice how uncharacteristic the white face markings are compared to the typical looking males in images #1 and #3. I have never before, or since seen a male ruddy duck with white face marking similar to that one. I apologize for my failure to communicate that point.
Jun 4, 2017 19:57:17 #
[quote=CLF]
Thank you very much Greg for your enthusiastic thumbs up reply. Bubbling is really fun and comical to watch especially if you haven't seen it before.
Lame-Duck wrote:
......Ruddy Ducks. These are such cool and comical... (show quote)
Thank you very much Greg for your enthusiastic thumbs up reply. Bubbling is really fun and comical to watch especially if you haven't seen it before.
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