Gadwall
Mareca strepera
Gadwalls favor shallow ponds and marshy areas around the globe. They range across most of the northern hemisphere. In North America, they breed mostly in the Great Plains, though they are permanent residents in several western states. Some spend winters throughout Mexico. In Europe and Asia, these birds breed in the midlatitudes, and spend winters in southern Asia and northern Africa.
During the 1960s, 70s, and early 80s, habitat degradation and drought conditions led to declines in many populations of waterfowl in North America. Population increases have resulted from conservation efforts during the past quarter century, restoring wetlands and nesting habitats.
Researchers recognize two subspecies of Gadwall:
- M. s. strepera breeds in much of the world between 40°N and 60°N, and migrates south in the winter.
- M. s. couesi lives on the Line Islands in the central Pacific Ocean, 1200 miles south of Hawaii.
During my explorations, I’ve met these ducks in Alberta (Canada), California, Oregon, Montana, Wyoming, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.
The male Gadwall may not be as “showy” as other ducks, but they have a clean, economical appearance. Dabbling hen ducks can be confusing. Though not always clearly visible, I try to look for a whitish patch at the back of their wings near their body when I want to confirm a Gadwall sighting. It is usually more prominent in the drakes than the hens.
34 Photos
Gadwall(Mareca strepera) |
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Description: 7th Street at Imperial Beach, San Diego, California. |
Date Taken: 2013:01:31 15:34 |
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Location:
Imperial Beach |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 |
File Name: D3X0981-Gadwall |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Gadwall(Mareca strepera) |
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Description: Pair at the Visitor Center on the north edge of Jackson, Wyoming. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:16 12:39 |
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Location:
Jackson Visitor Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 |
File Name: D3X2843-Gadwall |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Gadwall(Mareca strepera) |
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Description: Lee Metcalf NWR in the Bitterroot Valley near Stevensville, Montana. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:26 15:41 |
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Location:
Lee Metcalf NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: D3X4944-Gadwall |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Gadwall(Mareca strepera) |
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Description: "The Ponds" adjacent to Beeler Creek. Poway California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2010:01:06 11:42 |
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Location:
Poway Grove Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/750 |
File Name: JCD4964.Gadwall |
| © 2010 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Gadwall(Mareca strepera) |
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Description: San Diego River flood control channel. San Diego, California 2010-01-08. |
Date Taken: 2010:01:08 15:56 |
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Location:
Robb Field |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1500 |
File Name: JCD5852.Gadwall |
| © 2010 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Gadwall(Mareca strepera) |
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Description: Colusa NWR, near Williams, Northern California. |
Date Taken: 2003:12:18 15:18 |
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Location:
Colusa |
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Camera Information: NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/350 |
File Name: JCD_5356Gadwall |
| © 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Gadwall(Mareca strepera) |
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Description: Colusa NWR, near Williams, Northern California. |
Date Taken: 2003:12:18 15:19 |
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Location:
Colusa |
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Camera Information: NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/320 |
File Name: JCD_5359Gadwall |
| © 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Gadwall(Mareca strepera) |
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Description: Colusa NWR, near Williams, Northern California. |
Date Taken: 2003:12:18 15:19 |
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Location:
Colusa |
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Camera Information: NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/350 |
File Name: JCD_5363Gadwall |
| © 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Gadwall(Mareca strepera) |
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Description: Colusa NWR, near Williams, Northern California. |
Date Taken: 2003:12:18 15:54 |
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Location:
Colusa |
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Camera Information: NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/9.5, 1/400 |
File Name: JCD_5400Gadwall |
| © 2003 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Gadwall(Mareca strepera) |
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Description: Sacramento NWR, between Willows and Williams, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:12:31 11:04 |
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Location:
Sacramento NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/2000 |
File Name: D3X6282-Gadwall |
| © 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Gadwall(Mareca strepera) |
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Description: San Diego River flood control channel. San Diego, California 2010-01-08. |
Date Taken: 2010:01:08 16:14 |
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Location:
Robb Field |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 |
File Name: JCD5909.Gadwall |
| © 2010 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Gadwall(Mareca strepera) |
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Description: At the South San Diego Bay Saltworks in Chula Vista California. Part of the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge. |
Date Taken: 2017:05:17 9:55 |
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Location:
Saltworks |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: Gadwall_D5X1486 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Gadwall(Mareca strepera) |
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Description: Juvenile bird at Malheur NWR in southeastern Oregon, west of Steens Mountains and south of Burns Oregon. Harney County. |
Date Taken: 2017:08:30 12:15 |
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Location:
Malheur NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: Gadwall-Juvenile_D5X9120-MalheurNWR |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Gadwall(Mareca strepera) |
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Description: Malheur NWR is in southeastern Oregon, west of Steens Mountains and south of Burns Oregon. Harney County. |
Date Taken: 2017:08:30 12:33 |
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Location:
Malheur NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: Gadwall-Hen_D5X9263-MalheurNWR |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Gadwall(Mareca strepera) |
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Description: Malheur NWR is in southeastern Oregon, west of Steens Mountains and south of Burns Oregon. Harney County. |
Date Taken: 2017:08:30 12:25 |
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Location:
Malheur NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: Gadwall-Hen_D5X9169-MalheurNWR |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Gadwall(Mareca strepera) |
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Description: Older chicks at Malheur NWR in southeastern Oregon, west of Steens Mountains and south of Burns Oregon. Harney County. |
Date Taken: 2017:08:30 12:02 |
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Location:
Malheur NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/10.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: Gadwall-Chicks_D5X9008-MalheurNWR |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Gadwall(Mareca strepera) |
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Description: This pair was captured on 2019-01-21 at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge near Willows California (USA). |
Date Taken: 2019:01:21 12:43 |
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Location:
Sacramento NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/3200 |
File Name: Gadwall-Pair_D506510-Sacramento-NWR |
| © 2019 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Gadwall(Mareca strepera) |
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Description: (Anas strepera) Airborne capture on 2019-01-21 at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge near Willows California (USA). |
Date Taken: 2019:01:21 13:17 |
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Location:
Sacramento NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 490 mm, f/8.0, 1/6400 |
File Name: Gadwall_D506763-Sacramento-NWR |
| © 2019 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Gadwall(Mareca strepera) |
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Description: At 6:15am I was the first guest at the preserve and I stayed until 12:30. Bird Viewing Preserve in Henderson, southern Nevada. |
Date Taken: 2020:11:09 11:48 |
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Location:
Bird Viewing Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: Gadwall_D5X8632-Henderson-BVP |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Gadwall(Mareca strepera) |
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Description: I guess it was time to go. At 6:15am I was the first guest at the preserve and I stayed until 12:30. Bird Viewing Preserve in Henderson, southern Nevada. |
Date Taken: 2020:11:09 11:51 |
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Location:
Bird Viewing Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: Gadwall_D5X8659-Henderson-BVP |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Gadwall(Mareca strepera) |
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Description: The Gadwall I saw on the water were all males. The Rio Grande Nature Center is one of my favorite locations to visit when I’m in Albuquerque. This was my first winter visit, and it did not disappoint. On this day I found Bufflehead on the water with Ruddy Ducks, Gadwall, Northern Shovelers, Mallards and geese. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:17 12:28 |
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Location:
Rio Grande Nature Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: Gadwall_D5X8015-RioGrandeNatureCenter-ABQ |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Gadwall(Mareca strepera) |
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Description: Gadwall were among the throngs of ducks at the Ibis Pond. I spent Friday exploring a jewel of birding in south Texas; Estero Llano Grande State Park. I couldn’t visit this place last spring because of the pandemic. It is a wonderful place to meet birds. |
Date Taken: 2021:01:22 14:07 |
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Location:
Estero Llano Grande State Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: Gadwall_D5X4463-EsteroLlano |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Gadwall(Mareca strepera) |
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Description: Gadwall shared the pond with grebes, teal, coots and gallinules. Sabal Palm Sanctuary is only five miles from where I camp in Brownsville. My last visit was late January 2021 and felt it was time to get reacquainted. I couldn’t have picked a better day. There was glorious weather and wonderful birds. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:19 10:54 |
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Location:
Sabal Palm Sanctuary |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: Gadwall_D5X3882-SabalPalmSanctuary |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Gadwall(Mareca strepera) |
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Description: Gadwall shared the pond with grebes, teal, coots and gallinules. Sabal Palm Sanctuary is only five miles from where I camp in Brownsville. My last visit was late January 2021 and felt it was time to get reacquainted. I couldn't have picked a better day. There was glorious weather and wonderful birds. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:19 10:55 |
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Location:
Sabal Palm Sanctuary |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: Gadwall_D5X3884-SabalPalmSanctuary |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Gadwall(Mareca strepera) |
|
Description: Gadwall shared the pond with grebes, teal, coots, and gallinules. Sabal Palm Sanctuary is only five miles from where I camp in Brownsville. My last visit was late January 2021 and felt it was time to get reacquainted. I couldn’t have picked a better day. There was glorious weather and wonderful birds. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:19 10:56 |
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Location:
Sabal Palm Sanctuary |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: Gadwall_D5X3893-SabalPalmSanctuary |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Gadwall(Mareca strepera) |
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Description: Most of the dabbling ducks on Crystal Lake were Mallards. Occasionally, a Gadwall would fly by and treat me to an opportunity to capture an image. |
Date Taken: 2022:05:31 15:39 |
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Location:
Crystal Lake |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: Gadwall_8505405-CrystalLake.GrandePrairie |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Gadwall(Mareca strepera) |
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Description: During my two-day stay in Cody Wyoming, I paid two visits to nearby Alkali Lake and enjoyed the waterfowl, shorebirds, and gulls I met there. |
Date Taken: 2022:05:16 10:09 |
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Location:
Alkali Lake |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: Gadwall_8501242-Cody-AlkaliLake |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Gadwall(Mareca strepera) |
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Description: Unlike the Blue-Winged Teal wintering in south Texas, Gadwall rarely breed here. So these birds will probably leave Texas soon. Only 5 miles from my camp in Brownsville (Texas), I paid a brief, 3+ hour visit to this sanctuary on this foggy damp morning. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:26 9:45 |
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Location:
Sabal Palm Sanctuary |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: Gadwall_D5X5535-SabalPalms |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Gadwall(Mareca strepera) |
|
Description: Unlike the Blue-Winged Teal wintering in south Texas, Gadwall rarely breed here. So these birds will probably leave Texas soon. Only 5 miles from my camp in Brownsville (Texas), I paid a brief, 3+ hour visit to this sanctuary on this foggy damp morning. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:26 9:44 |
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Location:
Sabal Palm Sanctuary |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: Gadwall_D5X5523-SabalPalms |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Gadwall(Mareca strepera) |
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Description: This drake Gadwall intently followed this coot as it foraged. I couldn’t tell how it benefitted, but perhaps the coot stirred up morsels from below the surface that the duck could exploit. Only 5 miles from my camp in Brownsville (Texas), I paid a brief, 3+ hour visit to this sanctuary on this foggy damp morning. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:26 9:37 |
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Location:
Sabal Palm Sanctuary |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: Gadwall_D5X5491-SabalPalms |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Gadwall(Mareca strepera) |
|
Description: This drake Gadwall intently followed this coot as it foraged. I couldn’t tell how it benefitted, but perhaps the coot stirred up morsels from below the surface that the duck could exploit. Only 5 miles from my camp in Brownsville (Texas), I paid a brief, 3+ hour visit to this sanctuary on this foggy damp morning. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:26 9:37 |
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Location:
Sabal Palm Sanctuary |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: Gadwall_D5X5486-SabalPalms |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Gadwall(Mareca strepera) |
|
Description: Unlike the Blue-Winged Teal wintering in south Texas, Gadwall rarely breed here. So these birds will probably leave Texas soon. Only 5 miles from my camp in Brownsville (Texas), I paid a brief, 3+ hour visit to this sanctuary on this foggy damp morning. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:26 9:41 |
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Location:
Sabal Palm Sanctuary |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: Gadwall_D5X5507-SabalPalms |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Gadwall(Mareca strepera) |
|
Description: At 6:15am I was the first guest at the preserve and I stayed until 12:30. Bird Viewing Preserve in Henderson, southern Nevada. |
Date Taken: 2020:11:09 11:48 |
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Location:
Bird Viewing Preserve |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: Gadwall_D5X8639-Henderson-BVP |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Gadwall(Mareca strepera) |
|
Description: At 6:15am I was the first guest at the preserve and I stayed until 12:30. Bird Viewing Preserve in Henderson, southern Nevada. |
Date Taken: 2020:11:09 11:30 |
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Location:
Bird Viewing Preserve |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: Gadwall_D5X8530-Henderson-BVP |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
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