[LRflex] IMG: more Goldeneye ducks
- From: Doug Herr <wildlightphoto@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "lug@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx" <lug@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, LEG <leica@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, LeicaReflex <leicareflex@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 9 Jan 2010 11:56:32 -0500 (EST)
Friday morning I spent a few hours at the state fish hatchery at Nimbus Dam, a
few minutes from home. The hatchery's water outflow often contains small fish
(or portions of fish), a fact not lost on the local birds. A portion of the
outflow is let into a settling pond where it eventually makes its way through
percolation and direct flow to the American River, a few meters below the
hatchery.
Many of the local birds consider the settling pond to be a prime feeding area
so among some species, the Common Goldeneye among them, 'turf' wars are fought
over the best locations. Yesterday two pairs of Goldeneyes plus one bachelor
male staked claims to the pond.
When a neighboring Goldeneye gets too close to your claimed area, the first
level of threat is to lower the head and aim toward the interloper:
http://wildlightphoto.com/birds/anatidae/cogo04.html
Both male and female Goldeneyes use this threat posture, but if the neighbor
doesn't back off the male will go to level two threat, where he tosses his head
back and makes a sound that is best described as a mix of a purr and a soft
growl:
http://wildlightphoto.com/birds/anatidae/cogo03.html
Note the female of this pair has maintained the level one threat posture. A
physical battle often takes place underwater which is out of the range of my
camera's design parameters. Once the winner is decided (home court is a big
advantage) the loser makes a hasty retreat:
http://wildlightphoto.com/birds/anatidae/cogo06.html
http://wildlightphoto.com/birds/anatidae/cogo07.html
which is followed by the winner's victory dance:
http://wildlightphoto.com/birds/anatidae/cogo05.html
all photos: R8/DMR, 560mm f/6.8 Telyt, shoulder stock & monopod. All comments
welcome.
Doug Herr
Birdman of Sacramento
http://www.wildlightphoto.com
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