Tuesday 15 February 2011

Showing Off.


This sequence of  a male Tufted Duck was taken during my recent stroll around Pen Pond in Richmond Park. Most of the time this male Tuftie just drifted around hoping to pick a tit-bit from the surface ... BUT then ....

.... without any warning he raced across the water. Why, I'm not really sure but after coming to a stop he then decided it was time to show off his ballet skills. 

It always amazes me how with a few flaps this and many other duck species are able to stand upright as if walking on the water. 
An elegant display of fitness in full breeding plumage so I guess this guy is just showing off to any of the females that might be watching.   FAB.

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42 comments:

  1. Fantastic pictures you had, I love them.

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  2. Beautiful bird and a fantastic display. Great photos capturing it all.

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  3. Terrific shots, Frank! You caught each pose at just the right moment.

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  4. Wonderful shots! Were there any ladies nearby he might have been trying to impress?

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  5. Your photos are absolutely incredible! Thank you so much for sharing them with your readers.

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    Our ultimate goal is to build the go-to platform for documenting all the world's organisms and through doing this we hope to develop an effective way to measure Mother Nature's pulse. By encouraging the masses to document their encounters with nature, we hope to build a powerful force for data collection and an important educational tool for wildlife awareness and preservation.

    We hope you'll support us on this mission by joining Project Noah today. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at peter@projectnoah.org & http://www.projectnoah.org

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  6. Lovely images of a little bird I have only see diving. Behaviour I am now going to hopefully see this spring.

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  7. I'm seeing a lot of this kind of activity as well. I guess the birds think spring is in the air.

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  8. Terrific photos. We spent part of saturday watching three juvenile Swans in similar mode . . .

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  9. Fancy you catching that in action.

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  10. Awwwwsome! These are wonderful. I wish my shutter speed was faster. I always miss shots like this.

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  11. Excellent photography! If I looked like that, I've be showing off to the ladies too.

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  12. It is a beautiful duck, I love the last two shots showing the tuft.

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  13. Well captured, fascinating cratures.

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  14. Outstanding series! He's quite the handsome fellow. Excellent captures!

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  15. Oh My Frank..... What a Super Series!! And How fun to watch his antics!

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  16. Either showing off, or practising for the showing off. You never know when the ladies might be watching!!

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  17. Thats an excellent series of Photos!! I know it was exciting to witness and to get those awesome shots!!

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  18. Amazing shoots. I wish i could take pictures like that. Keep it up.

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  19. This is one awesome series. I am amazed at the fine way you were able to capture the gorgeous ducks. They all looks as it they are pretty proud of themselves. That yellow eye is piercing. Great photography.

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  20. Hi Frank..I can't imagine people not having an interest in such wonderful things that go on in nature!!!
    He is a handsome fellow and has his dance moves down real good!!
    Lovely photo's of the dance!!

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  21. He must sure have picked up the hottest chick after that performance!:-) Could it be a predator that made him race like that? Any otters or the likes in that lake?

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  22. Wonderful shots. The third one with the duck standing upright is amazing!

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  23. Oh Frank, the two last ones are masterpieces! Gorgeous shots of this stretching guy ;-)

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  24. Incredible shots! Walking on water...isn't that what guys are supposed to do?

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  25. Ah. The birdy equivalent of a boy racer showing off to his girlfriend lol. Great series of shots.

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  26. Nice shots! Cool to watch as they show off, it's very interesting to watch and photograph bird behaviour. Great work :)

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  27. Show off!!! No, not the bird...YOU!! [kidding] I think your photos of the action here is just incredible! Well done.

    Turtle Soup

    I hope your Wednesday is treating you well!!

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  28. Great photos Frank! I love seeing them show off like that :)

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  29. Amazing captures of this guy in action!

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  30. well captured Frank... a duck we often take for granted, but if we wait a while we can get shots like your last two

    Nice one

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  31. Great action shots. Thanks for identifying the Leucojum vernum - Spring Snowflake - on my blog.

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  32. That's one talented duck! Wonderful captures. Love the yellow of his eye.

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  33. Incredible action sequence Frank! You were obviously well prepared to take advantage of your "luck". This is one amazing series and brilliantly captured.

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  34. Hi Everyone. Thanks for all your visits and kind comments.

    I have also noticed that many ducks also perform this activity after a lenghty spell of diving .. probably to shake of excess water.

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  35. And I'll bet it got some of their attention...

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  36. How did I miss THIS post?? What incredible shots. You just amaze me. ~karen

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  37. Gorgeous series of the Tufted Duck showing off Frank! It always amazes me too that they can stand up like that and how fast their wings move when they are engaged in this maneuver.

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  38. Hi Karen. No idea .... same reason when I forget to look in on everyone I expect!

    Hi Larry. Thanks very much. I'm sure they put more effort into this manoeuvre than they do when flying.

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

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