WOOD DUCK: THE LEAST REALISTIC DUCK EVER
I’ve been out shooting duck, camera-wise. Ducks are a bit of a mystery to me, and to be honest I often find it hard to tell one ruddy duck from another. I’ve found a memorable one now, though – the Wood Duck Aix sponsa. With all due respect to the Family Anatidae, these birds are just wooden toys brightly painted. I’ve watched them, and I’m still not convinced they don’t have tiny motors in them that propel them slowly in the water and make the wings twitch from time to time.
Wood Ducks may be found on Abaco, which I why I mention them. I’m showing some here in case you should be lucky enough to meet one – then you’ll recognise it at once. They are infrequent winter residents on Abaco – not exactly rare, but not commonly seen and therefore irregularly reported.
If you do happen upon one of these birds you’ll be fortunate, for they are undoubtedly very beautiful. It might be worth clapping your hands to test my theory that they won’t react at all. Their little motors will just keep them chugging through the water…
All photos: RH. Idiotic duck-based theory: RH
ROLLING HARBOUR ABACO 
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If I were going to be the least realistic duck ever…I’d be that one. Beautiful!
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Quite agree, Nic. Failing which, I’d like a small plastic one for the bath to replace the silly yellow one* with something a little more… sophisticated. RH *I maintain it’s for the grandchildren’s benefit
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Outstanding images and lucky you to get to see this amazing bird!
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Cheers, Phil, that’s VG coming from you with your fantastic portfolio! I was fascinated watching these ducks, but they really did look a bit like… toys! Sort of unreal. RH
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I love wood ducks! When my daughter was little we lived near Kew Gardens and I used to go there every day to feed the ducks and the heron. There was a resident pair of wood ducks and they were my favourites – even more so than the equally improbable mandarins. 😀
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Which would you say is more colourful: a male Painted Bunting or this Wood Duck?
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Gina, that’s like comparing 2 different artists! The PB (PABU) is a simple wonder of primary colours; the WD (WODU?) is far, far more complex colouring and patterning. I’d personally admire the duck, but take the bunting home with me (not to hang on the wall, obviously…) RH
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