Shakin' Mallard

[Downrigger]

Thought this female looked cute - she's coping with a frigid day (20 degrees F). Perhaps someone knows the meaning of this behavior. (?mites). C&C welcomed, as always.

[bnnrcn]

Super shot Mark, I loved it , so sharp and so cute, great details

[Shadowman]

Possibly just dunked below for feeding and preparing the feathers for later flight. Nice capture.

[Downrigger]

Thanks, Binnur & John. These critters spend the winter in spots like this on Lake Champlain where kind souls set up bubblers to keep open water for them - how they survive with subzero nights and single digit highs is beyond me.

[Rita]

A really cute capture Mark. I love the expression on it's face.

[IzzieK]

Thanks, Binnur & John. These critters spend the winter in spots like this on Lake Champlain where kind souls set up bubblers to keep open water for them - how they survive with subzero nights and single digit highs is beyond me.

You mean it is still winter where you are? Your comments brings me to another question I've always have in mind -- where do little backyard birds goes in winter? How do they survive? At least bigger birds like the one you have have here is bigger and can fly further to better temperature. Moving on...I love the smiling pose of this bird and water splash makes it more nicer...

[JohnRostron]

Your comments brings me to another question I've always have in mind -- where do little backyard birds go in winter? How do they survive? At least bigger birds like the one you have have here is bigger and can fly further to better temperature.

Provided they can find sufficient food, even small birds can survive sub-zero temperatures. Finches, such as Cardinals, can find plenty of seeds, but small warblers that rely on insects cannot find enough. They migrate south. A few small birds, such as Goldcrests (Kinglets), can find enough food from insect eggs tucked away in crevices and buds.

John

[Barbara Ponder]

Nice one! Up close and personal and now I see where the term "duck face" comes from"

[Downrigger]

Good info, John, and thanks Rita. Izzie, this was shot in March - the ice up there broke up and went away mid-April.

Nice one! Up close and personal and now I see where the term "duck face" comes from"

Thanks Barbara - I am still learning sharp focus with my nikkor 80-400 - this one is pretty good at 100% crop, but I still have lots of misses.

[IzzieK]

Provided they can find sufficient food, even small birds can survive sub-zero temperatures. Finches, such as Cardinals, can find plenty of seeds, but small warblers that rely on insects cannot find enough. They migrate south. A few small birds, such as Goldcrests (Kinglets), can find enough food from insect eggs tucked away in crevices and buds.

John

Hey....thanks! I am learning and I am happy that even in small snippets, my questions are answered...I am curious because I have just recently started a bird feeder and wondered when it rains, where it goes and when I remove the feeder at night. Now this post about birds in winter reignite the questions in my mind.

[Krawuntzel]

where do little backyard birds goes in winter? How do they survive? At least bigger birds like the one you have have here is bigger and can fly further to better temperature.

Hello Izzie:
to add one remark: size does not always matter . The "world record" of flying around 30'000km a year belongs to the northern wheatear (around 15cm long)
Erwin