Wednesday 8 December 2010

Colourful Wigeon.

As we move into winter, the vibrant rustic hues of the bright autumnal days changed into dull overcast greys; the landscapes often speckled or even fully coated by a white frost and recently completely obscured by a blinding white blanket of snow. During the same timespan our wintering species of ducks also change their coats, but in reverse, switching slowly from their duller eclipse plumage into their breeding finery.
Some would say that a female Wigeon is drab but just feast your eyes on the warm tones of rufous-browns and the diffuse mottling.

Like many species, the adult male Wigeon in eclipse plumage looks somewhat similar to its female counterpart but the change is quite dramatic. He now displays a much more sporty appearance; developing the distictive chestnut head split by the creamy-yellow band stretching from forehead into the crown; plus the unmistakable finely vermiculated grey upperparts, the pink breast and prominent white and black stern .

The days may be grey and cold but there is plenty of warm colours to be seen amongst our wildfowl.  FAB.

For more World Bird Wednesday images please check out The Pine River Review hosted by Springman.

29 comments:

  1. The detail on these birds is fantastic. The back feathers on the male are simply hypnotic and your right, the female is a study in understated beauty. ;-)WBW

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  2. Great shots, Frank. Beautiful colors and detail. Such elegant birds in their finely tailored outfits :-)

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  3. ...you're right...beautiful, warm colors! (and we need them now that the temps continue to fall!)

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  4. He is rather a sporty fellow, isn't he? And I love the colors on the female! Both are gorgeous and the photographs show perfect details.

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  5. Beautiful plumage in both of those birds. Breeding plumage is quite spectacular.

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  6. I love their 'whistling' too. Always associate it with winter at a lake.
    Lovely shots Frank.

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  7. We call them "bäsand". Like you I love their colors. But I have not been able to come that close to them. :(

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  8. Great images Frank, I agree the wildfowl in full breeding plumage really do brighten up those dull winter days, and your images show it at its very best.

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  9. Great detail on the male Frank. Lovely shot

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  10. I have always admired ducks for their wonderful range of colours and plumage. They really cheer-up a winter day, Frank.

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  11. Nice photos with nice text!

    P.S: You should guess at least one of my quiz birds...

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  12. Great essay and photos;the detail on the back is incredible. Gary & Boom of the Vermilon River.

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  13. Great detail. And, I love the drop of water.... So nicely captured.

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  14. Beautiful shots of the Wigeons.

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  15. I like the use of the word "sporty" for the wigeon- I suppose his yellow band is kind of like a racing stripe! Beautiful photos!

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  16. Both are wonderful, but that bottom image is awesome Frank. By the way, every time I enter your site and view the header, I love how that bird seems to be looking at both yourself when you took it, but also at each one of us as we drop in for a visit~

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  17. These are wonderful ducks. Love 'em both.

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  18. Super shots and lovely colours.,

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  19. Great images, and the colors are just as you say - they are so beautiful and the colors so warm and vibrant. Nice work, Frank.

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  20. Frank, loving this post. This guy is so beautiful with his brown and orange and black and grey. Hope all is well. Carol

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  21. Beautiful ducks, it's kind of strange that the more stylish males have to fight to get the "dull" female... So different from us :)

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  22. Both equally lovely plumage Frank.

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  23. I agree that the female's colors are very lovely. Nice photos!

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  24. Stopped by for a visit. I don't comment often. Nice set of photos.

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  25. Beautiful shots Frank. This is a species that I rarely get pictures of, even if it is quite common here. They are quite shy!

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  26. Lovely warm, rich colors & stunning feather patterns! A most enjoyable post ... as always!

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  27. Hi Everyone.

    Thanks for all your kind comments. I will catch up with each and every one of you as soon as I can find some spare time. Cheers FAB.

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I hope you enjoyed your visit and I always appreciate your comments and feedback.

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