Wood Duck 001

You know spring has arrived when the wood ducks return to the beaver ponds in the north woods.

WoodDuck013

Wood Duck 002

There have been half a dozen wood ducks feeding in the beaver pond behind our house.

WoodDuck001

Wood Duck 003

The wood duck is one of the most colorful of all Minnesota’s ducks and definitely my favorite to photograph.

WoodDuck002

Wood Duck 004

In the early morning light the males are iridescent chestnut, blue and green.

WoodDuck016

Wood Duck 005

They have interesting patterns on nearly every feather.

WoodDuck015

Wood Duck 006

When I was photographing this wood duck I was keeping one eye on the duck and the other on this huge skunk behind my blind.

The skunk was working its way around the pond and I didn’t want this unwanted guest to stick its head under my blind and come in. That would have made for a mad scramble to try and exit the blind without getting sprayed.

WoodDuck012

Wood Duck 007

There has been only one female in the group so all the males have been fighting over her.

WoodDuck014

Wood Duck 008

The female is not as colorful as the male but still beautiful

WoodDuck006

Wood Duck 009

This one seems to have won her affections. I think he was whispering in her ear.

WoodDuck007

Wood Duck 010

Her gaze seems to say, “Ok, I pick you”.

WoodDuck008

Wood Duck 011

It is really hard to catch wood ducks stretching their wings so I was fortunate when this one danced on the water twice.

WoodDuck004

Wood Duck 012

Two photos of the second dance turned out.

WoodDuck017

Wood Duck 013

Here is the second one.

WoodDuck018