Wood Duck
Aix sponsa
The male Wood Duck vies as one of the most beautiful creatures on this planet. Another duck with similar credentials, and the only other species in the Aix genus, is the Mandarin Duck.
Wood Duck feet have claws adapted to help them perch on trees and other woody structures. They nest in hollows of trees, sometimes at substantial elevations. The very young often have to jump from great heights before taking their first steps on terra firma.
Wood Duck populations reached a low point in the early 1900s because of habitat loss. In the 1920s authorities regulated hunting, while thoughtful people began building nest boxes for these birds, and slowly the population rose. Today, their numbers have rebounded well enough that hunting has resumed.
Most of eastern half of the USA hosts Wood Ducks year round, as does much of the West Coast, the Pacific Northwest, and Cuba. In summer, some of their population migrates north as far as southern Canada. Southwestern USA, the southern Rocky Mountain states, and northern and central Mexico host non-breeding birds.
Despite their fragmented range, today’s science does not recognize any subspecies (i.e. they are monotypic).
Wherever I encounter these birds, I am compelled to take pictures. The drakes are so beautiful, who can blame me? Several small lakes in San Diego County have provided me lovely encounters with these ducks, but I met one in Tucson Arizona, and also had a lot of fun with them in Albuquerque (New Mexico).
40 Photos
Wood Duck(Aix sponsa) |
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Description: Mom with chicks at Santee Lakes in Santee, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2015:07:05 9:42 |
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Location:
Santee Lakes |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/125 |
File Name: D3X2100-WoodDuck |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Wood Duck(Aix sponsa) |
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Description: Mom with chicks at Santee Lakes in Santee, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2015:07:05 9:47 |
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Location:
Santee Lakes |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/125 |
File Name: D3X2130-WoodDuck |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Wood Duck(Aix sponsa) |
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Description: Mom with chicks at Santee Lakes in Santee, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2015:07:05 9:48 |
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Location:
Santee Lakes |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/125 |
File Name: D3X2137-WoodDuck |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Wood Duck(Aix sponsa) |
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Description: Mom with chicks at Santee Lakes in Santee, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2015:07:05 9:51 |
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Location:
Santee Lakes |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/160 |
File Name: D3X2180-WoodDuck |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Wood Duck(Aix sponsa) |
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Description: Mom with chicks at Santee Lakes in Santee, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2015:07:05 10:01 |
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Location:
Santee Lakes |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/400 |
File Name: D3X2234-WoodDuck |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Wood Duck(Aix sponsa) |
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Description: Off at high speed: Mom with chicks in her wake at Santee Lakes in Santee, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2015:07:05 10:01 |
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Location:
Santee Lakes |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/320 |
File Name: D3X2238-WoodDuck |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Wood Duck(Aix sponsa) |
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Description: Wild bird at the San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park. San Diego, California. |
Date Taken: 2012:05:17 9:08 |
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Location:
Hillcrest |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 550 mm, f/5.6, 1/60 |
File Name: D3X2350-WoodDuck |
| © 2012 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Wood Duck(Aix sponsa) |
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Description: Santee Lakes in Santee, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:12:19 10:08 |
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Location:
Santee Lakes |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/13.0, 1/125 |
File Name: D3X4030-WoodDuck |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Wood Duck(Aix sponsa) |
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Description: Resident breeding species at Santee Lakes in Santee, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:12:19 10:08 |
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Location:
Santee Lakes |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/13.0, 1/160 |
File Name: D3X4038-WoodDuck |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Wood Duck(Aix sponsa) |
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Description: Lindo Lake in Lakeside, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:03:12 15:54 |
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Location:
Lindo Lake |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: D3X4071-WoodDuck |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Wood Duck(Aix sponsa) |
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Description: Lindo Lake in Lakeside, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:03:12 15:55 |
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Location:
Lindo Lake |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/500 |
File Name: D3X4085-WoodDuck |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Wood Duck(Aix sponsa) |
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Description: Lindo Lake in Lakeside, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:03:12 15:55 |
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Location:
Lindo Lake |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/500 |
File Name: D3X4086-WoodDuck |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Wood Duck(Aix sponsa) |
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Description: Lindo Lake in Lakeside, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:03:12 16:05 |
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Location:
Lindo Lake |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: D3X4130-WoodDuck |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Wood Duck(Aix sponsa) |
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Description: Lindo Lake in Lakeside, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:03:12 16:09 |
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Location:
Lindo Lake |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: D3X4155-WoodDuck |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Wood Duck(Aix sponsa) |
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Description: Resident bird's head shot at Santee Lakes in Santee, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:12:19 11:50 |
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Location:
Santee Lakes |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/13.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: D3X4347-WoodDuck |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Wood Duck(Aix sponsa) |
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Description: San Diego Zoo Safari Park (formerly San Diego Wild Animal Park). Escondido, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2013:04:21 11:49 |
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Location:
San Pasqual |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/60 |
File Name: D3X4869-WoodDuck |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Wood Duck(Aix sponsa) |
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Description: At the Albuquerque Zoo, or BioPark in New Mexico. |
Date Taken: 2016:03:17 10:52 |
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Location:
Barelas |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 240 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D3X5735-WoodDuck |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Wood Duck(Aix sponsa) |
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Description: At the Albuquerque Zoo, or BioPark in New Mexico. |
Date Taken: 2016:03:17 11:03 |
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Location:
Barelas |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 400 mm, f/8.0, 1/60 |
File Name: D3X5762-WoodDuck |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Wood Duck(Aix sponsa) |
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Description: Safari Park (Formerly San Diego Wild Animal Park). Escondido, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2013:05:05 9:09 |
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Location:
San Pasqual |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/160 |
File Name: D3X5910-WoodDuck |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Wood Duck(Aix sponsa) |
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Description: The Botanic Gardens at Albuquerque's BioPark in New Mexico. |
Date Taken: 2016:03:19 16:27 |
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Location:
Old Town |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 180 mm, f/8.0, 1/250 |
File Name: D3X6787-WoodDuck |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Wood Duck(Aix sponsa) |
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Description: The Botanic Gardens at Albuquerque's BioPark in New Mexico. |
Date Taken: 2016:03:19 16:27 |
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Location:
Old Town |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 180 mm, f/8.0, 1/400 |
File Name: D3X6795-WoodDuck |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Wood Duck(Aix sponsa) |
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Description: The Botanic Gardens at Albuquerque's BioPark in New Mexico. |
Date Taken: 2016:03:19 16:34 |
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Location:
Old Town |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 200 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D3X6872-WoodDuck |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Wood Duck(Aix sponsa) |
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Description: Lindo Lake. Lakeside, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2012:03:14 17:56 |
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Location:
Lindo Lake |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/7.1, 1/800 |
File Name: D3X8247-WoodDuck |
| © 2012 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Wood Duck(Aix sponsa) |
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Description: Lindo Lake. Lakeside, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2012:03:14 17:58 |
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Location:
Lindo Lake |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/800 |
File Name: D3X8267-WoodDuck |
| © 2012 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Wood Duck(Aix sponsa) |
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Description: Lindo Lake. Lakeside, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2012:03:14 17:59 |
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Location:
Lindo Lake |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 |
File Name: D3X8279-WoodDuck |
| © 2012 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Wood Duck(Aix sponsa) |
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Description: Lindo Lake. Lakeside, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2012:03:14 18:14 |
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Location:
Lindo Lake |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/320 |
File Name: D3X8341-WoodDuck |
| © 2012 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Wood Duck(Aix sponsa) |
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Description: Reid Park in Tucson, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2008:11:27 13:37 |
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Location:
Reid Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/160 |
File Name: JCD2622WoodDuck |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Wood Duck(Aix sponsa) |
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Description: Lindo Lake in Lakeside, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:03:12 15:55 |
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Location:
Lindo Lake |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/500 |
File Name: Cut_D3X4086-WoodDuck |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Wood Duck(Aix sponsa) |
|
Description: Lindo Lake in Lakeside, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:03:12 16:05 |
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Location:
Lindo Lake |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: Cut_D3X4130-WoodDuck |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Wood Duck(Aix sponsa) |
|
Description: Lindo Lake in Lakeside, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2014:03:12 16:09 |
|
Location:
Lindo Lake |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: Cut_D3X4155-WoodDuck |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Wood Duck(Aix sponsa) |
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Description: At The Zoo. Albuquerque, New Mexico. |
Date Taken: 2005:02:18 16:53 |
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Location:
Barelas |
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Camera Information: NIKON D1X, 450 mm, f/8.0, 1/60 |
File Name: Cut-JCD_5183WoodDuck |
| © 2005 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Wood Duck(Aix sponsa) |
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Description: Jerry and I spent a few hours at the Albuquerque Zoo, where I've always enjoyed their Duck Pond and the wild ducks that congregate there. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:06 14:27 |
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Location:
Bio-Park Zoo |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 300 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: WoodDuck_D5X6338-ABQ-BioPark-Zoo |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Wood Duck(Aix sponsa) |
|
Description: Jerry and I spent a few hours at the Albuquerque Zoo, where I've always enjoyed their Duck Pond and the wild ducks that congregate there. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:06 14:31 |
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Location:
Bio-Park Zoo |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 210 mm, f/8.0, 1/500 |
File Name: WoodDuck_D5X6356-ABQ-BioPark-Zoo |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Wood Duck(Aix sponsa) |
|
Description: Jerry and I spent a few hours at the Albuquerque Zoo, where I've always enjoyed their Duck Pond and the wild ducks that congregate there. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:06 14:33 |
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Location:
Bio-Park Zoo |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 400 mm, f/8.0, 1/500 |
File Name: WoodDuck_D5X6385-ABQ-BioPark-Zoo |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Wood Duck(Aix sponsa) |
|
Description: Jerry and I spent a few hours at the Albuquerque Zoo, where I've always enjoyed their Duck Pond and the wild ducks that congregate there. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:06 14:39 |
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Location:
Bio-Park Zoo |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 400 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: WoodDuck_D5X6456-ABQ-BioPark-Zoo |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Wood Duck(Aix sponsa) |
|
Description: Jerry and I spent a few hours at the Albuquerque Zoo, where I've always enjoyed their Duck Pond and the wild ducks that congregate there. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:06 14:41 |
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Location:
Bio-Park Zoo |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 400 mm, f/8.0, 1/400 |
File Name: WoodDuck_D5X6485-ABQ-BioPark-Zoo |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Wood Duck(Aix sponsa) |
|
Description: Jerry and I spent a few hours at the Albuquerque Zoo, where I've always enjoyed their Duck Pond and the wild ducks that congregate there. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:06 14:45 |
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Location:
Bio-Park Zoo |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 340 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: WoodDuck_D5X6581-ABQ-BioPark-Zoo |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Wood Duck(Aix sponsa) |
|
Description: Jerry and I spent a few hours at the Albuquerque Zoo, where I've always enjoyed their Duck Pond and the wild ducks that congregate there. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:06 14:46 |
|
Location:
Bio-Park Zoo |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 360 mm, f/8.0, 1/500 |
File Name: WoodDuck_D5X6591-ABQ-BioPark-Zoo |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Wood Duck(Aix sponsa) |
|
Description: Jerry and I spent a few hours at the Albuquerque Zoo, where I've always enjoyed their Duck Pond and the wild ducks that congregate there. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:06 14:50 |
|
Location:
Bio-Park Zoo |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 210 mm, f/8.0, 1/250 |
File Name: WoodDuck_D5X6624-ABQ-BioPark-Zoo |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Wood Duck(Aix sponsa) |
|
Description: Jerry and I spent a few hours at the Albuquerque Zoo, where I've always enjoyed their Duck Pond and the wild ducks that congregate there. |
Date Taken: 2020:12:06 14:55 |
|
Location:
Bio-Park Zoo |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 260 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: WoodDuck_D5X6661-ABQ-BioPark-Zoo |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
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