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.



Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Gadwall

Anas strepera

Appearance:
Medium-sized dabbling duck
Finely barred gray body
Rust-brown shoulders
Black rump
White belly
Gray-brown head and neck
Gray bill
White patch in wing

Listen to its call.

I took this photograph at few weeks ago at Viaduct Flats. Unfortunately, although there were a fair number of these ducks in the pond, none of them seemed to favour the shore line. As the signage in the area asks visitors to stay on the designated trails and much of the area was flooded at the time of my visit, it wasn't possible for me to get close enough to take a decent photo. At least that's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Learn more about the Gadwall.

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