19 November 2011

Crested duck, Puerto Natales


At Puerto Natales in the South of Chile, waterfront signs identifying some of the common birds recognise that many people are interested in more than just the region's spectacular landscapes (Puerto Natales is the gateway to the Torres del Paine). Yesterday I saw a group of elderly visitors armed with substantial binoculars and an enormous, tripod-mounted spotting scope taking obvious delight in watching a family of black-necked swans. For once, I hardly felt self-conscious about taking out my own binoculars and joining the delight, and this morning I had the good fortune to watch a family of crested ducks. The crest on this bird is visible, although it blends with the plumage on the back in this photograph, and the appearance leads me to wonder whether it should be renamed the mullet duck ;^)

I leave today for Torres del Paine, so posting will be on hold for a few days.



[17 November 2011, Panasonic Lumix GH1, 100–300 mm at 300 mm, ISO 200, 1/1600 at f5.6]


All content © 2011 Pete McGregor

3 comments:

Zhoen said...

Once I knew to look for a mullet, I could see it.

Relatively Retiring said...

What a charming parent and child study.
These ducks are such fashion icons!

pohanginapete said...

Zhoen, it's distinctive, but not obvious.

RR, fashion icons maybe, but from a couple of decades ago, I think :^) The chick was just one of a large number these parents had to watch over.