Yes, the first shot depicts a pair of Ring-necked ducks. Contrary to the quite obvious white line around the drakes bill, it is an almost imperceptible burgundy line around the neck that gives title to this species. Since the male's head is very dark, the neck "line" remains indistinct except perhaps in very bright light and when the duck's head is extended. During mating season the male RN duck will throw its head backwards so that its bill is pointed upwards because this behaviour signifies ... I don't know ... you tell me. RN ducks make a brief appearance in late-winter and early spring so the window of opportunity to see them (photograph them) is narrow. I figure by mid-April they will all be gone up north so I don't have much time. I seldom find them. When I do find them they are often in the middle of the pond, the other side of the pond, behind very tall shoreline reeds, or whatever constitutes an impediment to getting a good shot. I've seen them at Bluffer's Park many years ago and always miss them when they do touch down there because they never stay very long. I've seen them in the Rouge (Reesor pond lower, Staines pond, Amos pond), Ashbridges and apparently this year they were spotted on Grenadier pond in High Park. Yesterday I only spotted one pair. The drake was close to the road as I drove by and therefore I pulled over, walked back and sat down for a while waiting for a return excursion that never happened. I then proceeded to the east end of the pond and that's when I saw the pair in the photo. They started to move away as I trudged through the bush but then did a 180 and came back after I stopped moving. The range was too great even for my 420mm rig. I left my other TC in a different coat and therefore I couldn't try that combo. Maybe next time I'll get lucky. Do ya feel lucky, punk?
