birds Gadwall

The gadwall is a bird of open wetlands, such as prairie or steppe lakes, wet grassland or marshes with dense fringing vegetation, and usually feeds by dabbling for plant food with head submerged. It nests on the ground, often some distance from water. It is not as gregarious as some dabbling ducks outside the breeding season and tends to form only small flocks. (Wikipedia) I like the gadwall's appearance with its intricate plumage that looks a bit like the female plumage of species like the female mallard and the northern shoveler. Your comments are very welcome.

A very nice image of this beautiful duck. It is present in Sardinia only in the last decade and rare to see, I hope that its range will expand over time. Always interesting is your accompanying note which helps us in recognizing these varieties of ducks. ciao Giangiorgio

Hi Giangiorgio,

 

thank you for your friendly comments! The gadwall is my favorite duck; its plumage is really beautiful and its behavior seems more calm than that of other duck species. Kind regards, Vincent

I have to say that the water makes a mesmerizing background for the bird, Vincent. It's like the bird is disconnected from the water. Sharp contact with the eye and lots of details in the body. The light is magical along with the water drops. I find the position of the bird in the frame rather interesting. A picture that deserves to be framed and hung. Best regards, Paul.

Hi Paul and Dana,

 

thank you for these very nice comments! I never thought about the background as mesmerizing, but now that you mention it...'A picture that deserves to be framed and hung.' That's a great compliment, thank you! Kind regards, Vincent

Vincent, I have no idea how it managed to do so, but the bird appears to be swimming on a pond comprised of oil paint. Paul hit the nail on the head by thinking that the bird is disconnected from the water. He also noticed, and rightfully so, the bird's amazing feather patterns and its eye. One element that hasn't been addressed is the water dribbling down from the gadwall's beak to the pond's surface. However it's unknown whether the water is due to hunger or thirst, or both. Finally, the reflections are attention grabbing due to their subtlety. Fine, fine work. - - My best always, michael

Hi Michael,

 

thank you for these fine comments! It's remarkable hoe Paul and you both feel the duck is somehow disconnected from the water; you used the subtly descriptive words 'the bird appears to be swimming on a pond comprised of oil paint'. That didn't occur to me until you both pointed it out. The water surface of the lake keeps moving due to the wind and the closeness to the blind from which this photo was shot. The droplets from the bird's beak are present after every 'dive' this bird makes to find water plants. Kind regards, Vincent