Monday, January 5, 2009

Bird Photography Weekly: Mrs. Mallard

Yeah, yeah, I know... What's so special about mallards that would make them BPW-worthy? And the female mallards at that!

I don't care if they're found pretty much anywhere there's water. I just love those wonderful, iridescent blue racing stripes (speculum) they sport!

click image to enlarge
Mallard, female (Anas platyrhynchos)

And an action shot...

click image to enlarge

For more great bird photos from around the world, check out Bird Photography Weekly #19.

Bird Photography Weekly

10 comments:

Mary C said...

Mrs. Mallard looks like she's one of a kind. ;o) Do all the females have that dark blotch over the top part of their bill? Is it only during a certain season/time of year? I've never seen one like that. Great photo capture, Kyle.

Wendy said...

I've never thought of them as racing stripes. I like it!

Kathi said...

That "action shot" is a different view of a Mallard. I agree, I don't care how common of a duck this is, it is still neat. The plain, brown birds don't get as much attention as the flashy ones, but they need a little love, too!

Thanks for the photos,

~Kathi

Alan Pulley said...

I agree with you Kyle. They are really beautiful birds. Nice photos!!

Heidi said...

Mallards are cool... sure, they're common, but I think they try to develop odd personalities to stand out of the crowd.

mick said...

Nice photos - and what is common to you is not that way for everyone!

Anonymous said...

I love female Mallards. They are a beautiful study in brown and white. I think most female birds do not get the attention that males do. They are not as strikingly colored.

Bob Kaufman said...

Cute shots, Kyle! Love the action shot. :-)

Anonymous said...

That's a great photo of the female mallard stretching its wings back and with its bill in the water. I believe Mallards are almost the most beloved bird of North America. It's one of the few birds just about anyone can name.

Anonymous said...

I think these are great. I like those irradescent colors on them too.