There is a park where I go sometimes if I want to take pictures of Mallards and Black Ducks, and I know there is an ample supply of Gulls available there too for picture taking. Yesterday I stopped by Lily Lake in Saint John, and although the lake was frozen, there were lots of 
hungry gulls and ducks hanging around. I just took a lot of random photos of the flow of their movements and resettling, which created all sorts of interesting groupings and flight shots. In these first two photos a Herring Gull and male Mallards settled down among some Black Ducks.
This photo above is easily a favourite as I really like the layering of Mallards in flight in the background as they pass behind, going in the opposite direction from the large one in the foreground. Clicking on these photos to enlarge them will really enhance your viewing of their beautiful colouring.
There were some Pigeons there too
editing note:
It is so easy to understand how one would be inspired to imitate nature. After posting today's
pictures I kept noticing different pieces of fabric I have and I could not help but lay a few pieces together side by side to envision a male Mallard. Can you find these parts among the fabric photo: dark green head, magenta breast and brownish white sides, wings white with black and a blue patch, orange feet, yellow bill, I think I am missing some blue but there is enough here to let your imagination work for you.
Oh, my favorite is the last one but they are all wonderful! How fun it is to watch birds in flight! Hope you have a great day:)
ReplyDeleteFabulous action shots! Our ordinary birds are really quite beautiful.
ReplyDeleteLove your crowd shots! The colors are so beautiful, and the action must have been really fun to watch.
ReplyDeletebobbie:
ReplyDeleteThe action was fun to watch as someone was feeding them from their car and the ducks and gulls were flying everywhere trying to get the best possible spot for choice bits of food. Glad you enjoyed.
These are wonderful shots of the Mallard in flight! It reminds me of something I wanted to ask you. I'll send an email.Love that pigeon...very colorful!
ReplyDeleteI thought the first one was a painting at first. Nice action shots. That looks like a beautiful place to watch birds.
ReplyDeleteWow! These are all wonderful but I think that last one has got to be my favorite. One of these day's I'll manage to capture some birds in flight. They always catch me unaware and by the time I aim they've stopped.
ReplyDelete:-D
Do you get black ducks there also? Nice shots of the birds in flight. I can see the red spot on the gull's beak when I enlarge the photo.
ReplyDeleteFantastic shots of all the beautiful birds. I do love that shot of the wings outstretch in flight.
ReplyDeleteI love these shots - every one of them! And your project has inspired me to think about something similar. I'm not much more than a straight line hem stitch person on the sewing maching, but I have an idea of picking out fabric and a pattern for a bird coat or something like that, and having it made. Nice winter fantasy anyway.
ReplyDeleteI like the last photo, too! It reminds me of the song, Wing beneath my wings (or something like that)!
ReplyDeletePerfect fabrics! Isn't it fun picking them out?
ReplyDeleteLove the action shots.I'd say go for a quilted Mallard.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,Ruth
Such a different post with so many action shots...a nice way to spend an afternoon..at the lake! Loved the way your ended your post..with the fabrics..how many of us see the world thru fabric patterns and colors. That was great. I spent the afternoon finishing up my final sketch for my next wall hanging..now I'm off to the fabric store tomorrow to pick out some inspiration!! :)
ReplyDeleteYou have truly captured some great images! And that pine grosbeak for Ruby Tuesday, wow!
ReplyDeleteI love the crowd shots! Cant wait to see your Mallard creation.
ReplyDelete