Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Black Duck

 American Black Duck (Anas rubripes)

Very similar in looks to female mallards, don't you think? But notice his bill is YELLOW not orange like a female Mallard. True they are not really black but actually chocolate brown.

Time for a rest

I'm sorry there were no female black ducks around, or I'd show you the female looks very much like the male, although her bill is is a dull green.

Hanging out with Mallards

They often flock with Mallards (and sometimes breed with them too) so here you can see that the American Black Duck really is darker than a female Mallard.

I am connecting to Stewart M's Wild Bird Wednesday HERE
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62 comments:

  1. The CrankyFebruary 24, 2015 at 4:40 AM

    Lovely photos, that bit of bright blue peeking from under their wings is a cheery sight!
    You have a real gift for making the viewer feel they are right there with you. =)

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  2. Margaret Birding For PleasureFebruary 24, 2015 at 4:59 AM

    Lovely shots of all the ducks. Would be good to try and get both M & F Black ducks together for us to see.

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  3. MersadFebruary 24, 2015 at 5:45 AM

    Amazing wildlife shots. They don't look to happy on the ice. I'm sure they would enjoy water more :)

    Mersad
    Mersad Donko Photography

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  4. Stewart MFebruary 24, 2015 at 6:53 AM

    We have the Pacific Black Duck here - if we had yours and the Mallard as well it would be a bit of nightmare!

    Nice shots.

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  5. eileeninmdFebruary 24, 2015 at 6:57 AM

    EG, great shots of the Black Duck! I love the top shot! Have a happy day!

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  6. DarlaFebruary 24, 2015 at 7:26 AM

    Stunning details of the feathers in the first two shots.

    Darla

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  7. MadSnapperFebruary 24, 2015 at 7:43 AM

    I enlarged that first photo and studied the way his feathers are put together. so beautiful the way each feathers is where it should be and so full of details.

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  8. MariFebruary 24, 2015 at 7:47 AM

    Black but that little blue from the wings makes him noticeably beautiful.

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  9. PerthDailyPhotoFebruary 24, 2015 at 7:50 AM

    I love that first image too EG, can see it as inspiration for a water colour painting.

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  10. Gill - That British WomanFebruary 24, 2015 at 7:54 AM

    I wonder if they get cold feet standing on that ice all day?

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  11. jp@A Green RidgeFebruary 24, 2015 at 8:04 AM

    Such clear photos showing it's color variation...:)JP

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  12. GeorgeFebruary 24, 2015 at 8:28 AM

    The Black Duck is beautiful, even if it isn't black. You got some great photos.

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  13. William KendallFebruary 24, 2015 at 8:43 AM

    You've captured these birds beautifully, EG!

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  14. Small City ScenesFebruary 24, 2015 at 9:28 AM

    Excellent shots. You captured the feather detail perfectly. MB

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  15. GigaFebruary 24, 2015 at 9:59 AM

    Among feathers and blue color can be seen. Ducks are very pretty. Regards.

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  16. TexWisGirlFebruary 24, 2015 at 10:29 AM

    how neat, but i'd get very confused with the mallards - especially hybrids. :)

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  17. Linda W.February 24, 2015 at 10:49 AM

    Nice duck pics. They look so cold, sitting on the ice!

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  18. UnknownFebruary 24, 2015 at 10:58 AM

    You've caught them wonderful!
    But I couldn't tell the difference, to me these are all ducks ;)
    Have a fine day
    【ツ】Knipsa

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  19. John @ Beans and I on the LooseFebruary 24, 2015 at 11:06 AM

    Nice that you explained that they are not really black. I thought you had over exposed the picture. :) Pretty duck nevertheless.

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  20. Sharon WagnerFebruary 24, 2015 at 11:10 AM

    There are so many species ducks! Nice close up.

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  21. Mary Howell CromerFebruary 24, 2015 at 11:56 AM

    What a gorgeous bird, excellent photography~

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  22. Adam JonesFebruary 24, 2015 at 11:57 AM

    What a nice duck. Quite similar to the Mallard, but not one I've seen before. Nice to see your images of it.

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  23. 21 WitsFebruary 24, 2015 at 12:01 PM

    Such a pretty duck it is!

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  24. KarenFebruary 24, 2015 at 12:13 PM

    Cute little black duck!

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  25. Sylvia KFebruary 24, 2015 at 12:22 PM

    Gorgeous captures as always and the detail never ceases to amaze me! You are an awesome photographer and I love those COLD ducks!! Stay warm and enjoy your week!!

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  26. AnonymousFebruary 24, 2015 at 12:59 PM

    Great shots, they are full of character!

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  27. Tante MaliFebruary 24, 2015 at 1:17 PM

    She's a beauty!
    All my best
    Elisabeth

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  28. orvokkiFebruary 24, 2015 at 2:04 PM

    The first photo is fantastic and so cute.
    Hugs

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  29. GunnFebruary 24, 2015 at 2:13 PM

    Nice images of nice models.

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  30. Ginny HartzlerFebruary 24, 2015 at 2:22 PM

    Wonderful portraits! The feather pattern is so beautiful, like art.

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  31. RedPatFebruary 24, 2015 at 2:24 PM

    That's a new one for me, EG! And you are much braver than me for getting out and about in this cold.

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  32. cieldequimperFebruary 24, 2015 at 2:29 PM

    Pretty black duck with that little patch of blue!

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  33. MalyssFebruary 24, 2015 at 2:39 PM

    In France , when it's very cold , we speak of a "ducks cold " . Those ducks seem happy to be there !

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  34. VPFebruary 24, 2015 at 2:50 PM

    Excellent images, lovely ducks!

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  35. Amy at love made my homeFebruary 24, 2015 at 3:02 PM

    I never heard of or saw a black duck before, I am claiming this therefore as my what I learned today!! xx

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  36. AnvilcloudFebruary 24, 2015 at 3:12 PM

    New to me, so I'm glad you provided a comparison at the end.

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  37. JudyFebruary 24, 2015 at 3:51 PM

    Learn something new every day! I never knew about black ducks, so I have likely been thinking they were simply female mallards...

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  38. KathyFebruary 24, 2015 at 3:56 PM

    I love your duck photos. You should put togethr a book of them.

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  39. Elizabeth EdwardsFebruary 24, 2015 at 4:42 PM

    my 1st thought when i saw that 1st shot ... was handsome. what a beauty duck. great shots. stay warm this week. take care. ( :

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  40. ShammickiteFebruary 24, 2015 at 5:00 PM

    I love those shots, lovely detail on their feathers.

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  41. BirdmanFebruary 24, 2015 at 5:17 PM

    .and a 'back' duck too.

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  42. Ruth HiebertFebruary 24, 2015 at 5:48 PM

    Great shots.The side by side with the Mallard is good for comparison.

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  43. UnknownFebruary 24, 2015 at 6:48 PM

    You do take the most fabulous bird pictures !

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  44. LoisFebruary 24, 2015 at 6:51 PM

    Beautiful bird. I love seeing a bit of the the dark blue wing patch.

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  45. CarlettaFebruary 24, 2015 at 6:55 PM

    They do indeed remind me of the mallard. I like his little bits of color in the beak, the blue and the feet. :)

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  46. DeniseinVAFebruary 24, 2015 at 6:56 PM

    A very good comparison in your last shot EG. All your photos are excellent.

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  47. NCSueFebruary 24, 2015 at 7:44 PM

    I can almost feel the feathers - such a crisp, clean image!
    Thanks for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/02/off-of-saint-maarten.html

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  48. MichelleFebruary 24, 2015 at 8:20 PM

    Love that spot of blue on the feathers.

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  49. RandyFebruary 24, 2015 at 8:40 PM

    They look cold.

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  50. StephanieFebruary 24, 2015 at 9:01 PM

    Lovely shots! Absolutely love the first shot!

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  51. JennyFebruary 24, 2015 at 10:06 PM

    I really like the way your photos look like paintings. Beautiful ducks.

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  52. DebbieFebruary 24, 2015 at 10:17 PM

    Pretty but an odd duck!!

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  53. Cheryl @ TFDFebruary 24, 2015 at 11:33 PM

    He's a pretty duck and I like that spot of blue.

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  54. IndraniFebruary 25, 2015 at 1:16 AM

    Fine photos so well taken. :)

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  55. BreathtakingFebruary 25, 2015 at 3:20 AM

    Hello C G!:) I would have thought they were Mallards at first glance. Nice shots, of the not so Black Duck, which I think is lovely with those blue feathers.

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  56. Kerri FarleyFebruary 25, 2015 at 3:56 AM

    Lovely feather detail!!

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  57. IrmaFebruary 25, 2015 at 7:00 AM

    Great pictures of the ducks.
    Perfect photographed, my compliments.

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  58. RohrerbotFebruary 25, 2015 at 11:42 AM

    Nice comparison shot next to the Mallards. I remember looking at them thinking they do look different. Mottled Ducks are another one. Beautiful capture on that first photo!

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  59. JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes)February 25, 2015 at 12:00 PM

    I've never seen this duck before - I love the feather patterns. Your photos are fabulous.

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  60. NatureFootstepFebruary 25, 2015 at 5:11 PM

    they had a black duck in Australia too. We saw rater many of them in Queensland. They were nice birds. :)

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  61. CountryMouseFebruary 25, 2015 at 11:32 PM

    It looks like he has a blue feather in his wing? Very nice pics of the pretty fellow.

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  62. A Colorful WorldFebruary 26, 2015 at 3:59 PM

    I think he's mis-named! He's a handsome duck, and I love that blue area tucked into his wing, too.

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