Reader Stephen Barnard continues to send a largesse of gorgeous animal photographs, and I’m chuffed that readers get to see it here first. The latest includes three species of birds.
First we have two female mallards (Anas platyrhynchos):
And then a red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), clearly showing how it got its name:
Finally, a lovely Northern flicker (Colaptes auratus):
Correction: My Idaho birder friends tell me that the duck on the bottom is a female and the one on the top is a male. You can tell by the color of the bills. The males and females look similar in eclipse (non-breeding) plumage. The males will be developing the characteristic Mallard green heads soon. One benefit I’m getting from photography is learning about birds from the experts, especially when I make a mistake. I first thought these were Gadwalls.
Your Idaho birder fiends are exactly right, Stephen, hen Mallard lower left, drake in upper right. You can tell they’re Mallards and not Gadwalls by their blue (rather than white) secondaries.
Forgot to mention: it’s a beautiful shot, as are they all.
Beautiful
I’ve really been enjoying Stephen Barnard’s photos. They make me want to visit Idaho. Beautiful!
Love the first picture the best
Fabulous photos.
Reblogged this on THE ORNITHOLGOLICAL STUDY OF BIRDS & THEIR HABITAT.
What type of camera & lens is being used Stephen?
The camera is a Canon 5D Mark III. The lens I usually use for wildlife photography is a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM.