Common Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna)
I took a while to identify this duck, but then I’m not too good in this area, and surprise when I did it is widespread and common in Eurasia. Now that is fairly far from the tip of Africa. But I do like the Photos, and it was photographed here so I’m going to share them….
And then he, like most birds, gives me the finger….
The Photographic Journey of bulldog. 
My favorite is the last one with his head in the water! You have such a gift for capturing animals at the perfect moment! I applaud you. Tremendous photos. Bravo!
Thank you…
My favorite is the last one with his head in the water! You have such a gift for capturing animals at the perfect moment! I applaud you. Tremendous photos.
Thank you .. such a complement…
Such pretty ducks! I’ve never seen them. And, I agree, I like the images too. Especially the water ripples and the reflection. Superb, Rob!
Thank you George…
Mwahaha @ that brand of “finger”!
Maybe that’s were “giving the bird” came from…
I always love it when birds stick their backsides up in the air, such as in that last photo. Seriously Bulldog, I think these photos are some of the sharpest images I have seen in some time. New camera yet?
No unfortunately the new camera may have to wait another month or two… had a few expenses on the house to cover…
I understand that completely. I had to wonder given the amazing clarity of these photos whether you were testing out a new camera, but then all your photos are quite spectacular. 🙂
Great photos and resolution!
Thanks Mrs. P.
They are so beautiful! Great shots Rob. 😀 *hugs*
Thanks Sonel…
The classic butt shot. I love it. such a beautiful bird and so far from home.
I agree.. and by the pose, looked like it wanted to go further south…
Beautiful, graceful, awesome ducks. As a kid, my dad used to raise ducks and other farm animals. Me and my sisters would watch them hatch from eggs, witness their first swim in a pond and watch them grow. Fun times. Best wishes to your family.
Thank you .. even when I farmed I never had ducks as it is not something I eat… but they do fascinate me to a certain extent, there just seems to be too many none indigenous types spread around here that makes their ID very difficult… but thank you for the comment…
The last picture was totally unexpected and made me laugh! The finger, indeed…
Thanks Ronnie…
Una volpoca dispettosa questa che hai incontrato ahhaa
Bellissime foto, complimenti 🙂
Ciao, Pat
Thanks Patrizia… love the comment… gave me the bird…
Beauty, interesting information, and humor. There is always much to like and admire about your posts, bulldog.
Thank you!
Russ
Thank you so much Russ….
Wonderful photos. I’m amazed at how many different duck varieties there are.
Thanks Maralee… one of my weaker points with birds is the ducks… too many introduced species mixed with the indigenous ones has always been a bit of a bugbear for me…
Beautiful duck. I love ducks. Super post. Made me giggle. Love that.
Thank you…
A beautiful duck, bulldog. Love that last pic. 🙂 I have some similar, taken at the weekend. Sienna was fascinated by the duck’s antics, when we went to the park. 🙂
Thanks AD I always manage to get a pic of the wrong end of every bird I photo…
The first big flock of migrating ducks have arrived here – just hours before the storms from a coolish front pushing in. Wish my pix were as nice as yours. Love the chuckles
Well thank you for the visit and comment, i’ll be popping over to your site to see where you live, or if you leave a clue as to where you live… with migrating ducks I assume you live in a place that is either warm all year round or in the south where it is meant to be becoming summer.. but thanks for the compliment about my photos…
We’re in the Gulf Coastal plains area between Galveston/Houston TX. Usually pretty mild and beach open at Christmas…but we can have sleet and snow some years. May be a cold winter this year. Duck arrived in time to rest a bit, grab a snack and locate a nice dock to ride out the storm under.
Gorgeous photos – I love the still water and reflections in it.
Thank you Diana
I was going to comment, Rob–but dianasschwenk took the words right out of my mouth!
haha! I win! I win!
I think in that first image he is smirking at you! Interesting duck there. Thanks for the share. (I keep hearing the comedy line from a Marx Brothers movie in my mind now though – hehehe)
Thanks it is not a duck i know and was surprised to find him… i had to research a lot to get a little detail thinking make a mistake on this one and I’ll bomb as I expect those in the northern hemisphere should know it..
The duck appears to be watching you very carefully in the first photo, and the reflection is good. I also particularly like the composition in the third photo. As opposed to lions and tigers etc., we even have ducks out in the wild in England…lol
I thought you all would even tell me more about this duck seeing it comes from the North… thanks Brian…
A little duck, great shots …. love the one with the pair … what a difference in male and female, but no suprise. Butt shot great too – I don’t think he was giving you the finger … I think is was more about food. *smile
I always seem to get a butt shot of every bird I take… i think they’re trying to tell me something… thanks Viveka
Thank you for this mourning smile dear Rob, the last one, so lovely. Love, nia
Thanks Nia… really was giving me the bird…
Hehe at your last picture. I love the pictures though, Bulldog. They look so peaceful just gliding around there.
Thank you… they were fairly tame and I took this in Kakamus and that’s what confused me to the ID…
perhaps that is where the expression “giving the bird” comes from……. great photos Rob.
Thank you… you could be right…
My husband had a deckhand who used to preen when it was time to go ashore after a commercial fishing trip. He’d say, “Back home they calls me the shelduck.”
What a lovely comment to add to the post… Thank you Anneli…
This is going to sound a little kooky, but this gorgeous creature’s color combination of caramel, black and white has always been a favorite of mine. I’m glad you shared these photographs, they’re a reminder to me that all good things do come from nature.
Thank you Elisa… it is a gorgeous bird and was obviously imported… had me scratching my head as to it’s ID..
Love the images…and the humor! 🙂
Thank you…