There are a number of reasons why I decided to take on this project. My first reason has to do with my interest in birds. This began shortly after moving to Victoria ten and a half years ago. With our house backing onto a wooded area, the chirping of birds is a familiar sound all year long. I often glance out the window to see birds of all forms in the yard throughout the day. Frequently I will pull out the Birds of Victoria or Birds of North America reference guides we have on hand. Unfortunately, the drawings in the first aren’t overly helpful for identification and the number of entries in the second is overwhelming. My second reason has to do with a photography course I took a number of years ago. Since that time I have been trying to think of a practical reason to buy a new camera. Taking pictures of birds requires a powerful zoom lens which my previous point-and-shoot camera could not accommodate. Perfect! My final reason was my desire to take on a new project to welcome in 2011. Hence, bird of the day was born.



Friday, January 14, 2011

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchos
Appearance:
Female:
    Mottled brown
    Purple-blue wing patch
    Orange bill
Male:
    Iridescent green head
    Chestnut-brown breast
    White neck-ring
    Gray sides
    Grayish-brown back and wings
    Purple-blue wing patch
    Yellow bill

Listen to its call.

My choices today were bad pictures of interesting birds, good pictures of not so interesting birds or another variety of sparrow. So, in order to keep my promise and not bore you with more sparrows, I went for a not so interesting, or at least an easily recognizable, bird. 

As this male mallard is in breeding dress, chances are these two birds are searching for a territory / nesting site.  Don't they make a cute couple?

Learn more about the Mallard.

ducklings
Posted by at
Labels:

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)