Black-bellied Whistling Duck
Photographed at Estero Lllano Grande State Park, Hidalgo County, Texas. A duck that enjoys the company of other ducks!
Snow Goose
An abundant visitor to the Salton Sea in Imperial County, California in the wintertime. The birds in Images 1 - 4 were photographed at the Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge. Images 3 and 4 of immature birds were photographed at Mission Bay, San Diego, California, where this species occasionally shows up, outside its normal range.
Brant
A winter visitor to southern California. This group of four were photographed as they enjoyed eating eelgrass in Mission Bay, San Diego, California.
Canada Goose
Photographed at Lake Cuyamaca, San Diego County, California.
Wood Duck
Below are images of "normally-pigmented" Wood Ducks. age 1 is of a drake at Lindo Lake, Lakeside, California. Images 2-6 are of Wood Duck drakes at Santee Lakes in Santee, California. The last image is a female at Santee Lakes.
The following are photos of a leucistic Wood Duck hen at Santee Lakes in Santee, California. They were taken in March of 2025. This hen acquired a normally-pigmented mate. She was very calm and trusting around people when I photographed her. A truly charming and beautiful bird!
Blue-winged Teal
A drake and hen photographed at South Padre Island, Texas.
Cinnamon Teal
Photographed at Santee Lakes, Santee, California.
American Wigeon
A drake, photographed at Santee Lakes, Santee, California.
Mallard
Images 1 is of a drake who seems to have a tiny bit of eclipse plumage left on his face, photographed at Santee Lakes, Santee, California (a very good place to observe ducks, especially in the "cool" season). Image 2 is of a hen photographed at Lindo Lake, Lakeside, California. Image 3 is another drake at Santee Lakes.
Mottled Duck
A drake, photographed at South Padre Island, Texas.
Northern Pintail
At Lindo Lake, Lakeside, California.
Northern Shoveler
Photographed at Santee Lakes, Santee, California.
Ring-necked Duck
Images 1-3 are of the very handsome drakes of this species, photographed at Santee Lakes, California. In Image 3, the subtle reddish "ring" on neck is visible. Images 4 and 5 are of females, also photographed at Santee Lakes.
Scaup sp.
A female photographed at Santee Lakes, Santee, California.
Red-breasted Merganser
Photographed in San Diego, California.
Ruddy Duck
Image 1 is of a drake almost completely molted into non-breeding plumage with a couple "ruddy" feathers still present, and Image 2 is of a hen.
