Gadwall
Mareca strepera
May 16, 2021
 



By the Toftrees pond on April 2021 was the first time I had ever seen or photographed a gadwall (Mareca strepera or, formerly, Anas strepera), a duck about the size of a mallard.

In general, I find ducks to be a difficult ID, but my very first photo had a key feature: the white panels on the back of the wings.

 
Male gadwall in flight
 

The male gadwall is grayish, and the female is brownish.
 
Male gadwall in flight
 

The male gadwall changes course to intercept the swimming female.
 
Male gadwall selecting his landing
 

Breaks are on in landing preparation.
 
Male gadwall to land near female gadwall
 

Oops, the male overshoots the mark.
 
Male gadwall overshoots his mark
 

Touchdown, but the female is well behind him.
 
Male gadwall - touchdown
 

The male gadwall swims alone.
 
Male gadwall swimming
 

Well, if swimming alone, doubtlessly, the gadwall is planning another attempt to reach the female.

Photo note: I used a Pentax K3-II, with the Pentax 150-450mm lens, on April 26, 2021, for these photos, taken in the Toftrees game land, Centre County, Pennsylvania.




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