ML22963701

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Media notes

Sleeping adult male Eurasian Wigeon photographed by Curtis A. Marantz on 22 December 2015 at the Ramona Hunting Club, Riverside County, California.

Observation details

I spotted this bird standing among a large flock of ducks in the northern part of the club, after which we studied it through our scopes and took some distant photos. Eventually we walked a bit too close and the birds, including this one took flight and flew off. I was able to follow the Eurasian Wigeon for a short time in flight, which allowed me to see the pattern on the spread wings. This was a medium-sized duck that did not stand out among the other birds in its size and structure. It had a short bill, a steeply rounded head, a short neck, and a plump body, but it was a bit far for me to discern the finer details of its structure and this was further complicated by the fact that this bird slept for much of the time that we had it in view. This bird’s plumage patterns were nevertheless striking among the other birds. We noted clearly the deep rufous color of the head and that it contrasted with a deep, buffy-yellow stripe that extended up the forehead from the base of the bill to the peak of the crown. When seen from moderate distance the back, wings, and flanks appeared to be medium-gray, but the belly was white and the breast and sides were a relatively bright shade of pink. I further noted a broad, white stripe extending across the closed wings and that the undertail coverts were black, but I was unable to discern the finer details of the wing pattern or the soft-part colors. When this bird took flight, I was again able to see the reddish head and the gray of the body, but I was able to make out the large white panel on the wing coverts. I did not however see clearly the pattern on the undersides of the wings.

Technical information

Model

Canon EOS 7D Mark II

Lens

EF400mm f/5.6L USM

ISO

800

Focal length

400 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire, auto

f-stop

f/6.3

Shutter speed

1/1250 sec

Dimensions

269 pixels x 175 pixels

Original file size

58.46 KB