F/ 6.3, 1/640, ISO 200.
Canvasback
“Doctor, doctor, my wife thinks she’s a duck.”
“You better bring her in to see me straight away.”
“I can’t do that – she’s already flown south for the winter.”
Interesting Fact: The species name of the Canvasback, Aythya valisineria, comes from Vallisneria americana, or wild celery, whose winter buds and rhizomes are its preferred food during the nonbreeding period. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Canvasback/lifehistory )
F/8.0, 1/250, ISO 250.
Mourning Dove
Why did the picture go to jail?
Because it was framed.
Interesting Fact: Perhaps one reason why Mourning Doves survive in the desert: they can drink brackish spring water (up to almost half the salinity of sea water) without becoming dehydrated the way humans would. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Mourning_Dove )
F/10.0, 1/400, ISO 640.
Ruddy Duck
What do you get when you put four ducks in a box?
A box of quackers!
Interesting Fact: The Ruddy Duck has spiky tail feathers that are used in courtship displays. ( http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/116/overview/Ruddy_Duck.aspx )
F/9.0, 1/320, ISO 640.
Double-crested Cormorant
How does NASA organize a party?
They planet
Interesting Fact: The male chooses the nest site and then attracts a female. Nests can be on the ground, on rocks or reefs with no vegetation, or atop trees, which may be alive when a cormorant colony first forms but typically die after a few years from the guano build-up. Nests are built in the center of a colony first, then expand outward. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Double-crested_Cormorant/lifehistory )
F/11.0, 1/500, ISO 500.
Ring-necked Ducks
Why shouldn’t you write with a broken pencil?
Because it’s pointless!
Interesting Fact: During fall migration, Ring-necked Ducks can form immense flocks. Several hundred thousand congregate each fall on certain lakes in Minnesota to feed on wild rice. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Ring-necked_Duck/lifehistory )
F/6.3, 1/1000, ISO 800.
Downy Woodpecker
There are three guys in a helicopter and they each get to choose what they want to throw out.
The first guys chooses an apple. So he takes an apple and throws it out.
The second guy chooses a brick. So he takes a brick and throws it out.
The third guy chooses a grenade. So he pulls the pin and throws it out.
They land a while later and are walking along when they find a man rubbing his head.
They ask, “What happened to you?”
He answers, “An apple hit me on the head.”
They’re walking along again and find a man lying unconscious on the ground.
They ask the cop, “What happened to him?”
He answers, “A brick hit him on the head.”
They’re walking again, when they find a man laughing hysterically.
They ask, “What happened to you?”
He answers, “I farted and the house blew up behind me!”
Interesting Fact: In winter Downy Woodpeckers are frequent members of mixed species flocks. Advantages of flocking include having to spend less time watching out for predators and better luck finding food from having other birds around. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Downy_Woodpecker/lifehistory )
F/9.0, 1/320, ISO 320.
Ring-necked Ducks
What time is it when an elephant sits on your fence?
Time to get a new fence!
Interesting Fact: They tend to remain in pairs during the breeding season but group into flocks of several to several thousand during migration and winter. Like many other ducks, the Ring-necked Duck uses many kinds of displays to ward off rivals and to seek mates; almost any group of ducks offers an opportunity to watch these displays at work. When warning away another bird, Ring-necked Ducks lower their bill to meet their chest or push against each other, breast to breast, while swimming. This can intensify to bites and blows with the wings, particularly during the breeding season. When courting, males often throw their head sharply backward, touching the back; swim rapidly while nodding the head; or act as if they are preening their wing. As pairs begin to form, the two birds may perform exaggerated neck stretches or dip their bills in the water as if drinking. Pairs tend to form in spring and stay together at least until incubation begins. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Ring-necked_Duck/lifehistory )
Through Open Lens 