The Wood Duck

I think the Wood Duck male or “drake” is the most beautiful duck native to Virginia. The drake has a crested, green head, chestnut breast, and other bold markings.  Wood Ducks favor woodland ponds and swamps and I have actually seen them in the ditches of Indian River Road in Virginia Beach! As a wildlife photographer, I am also aware how skittish they can be. Perhaps it is because during the late 19th century, they practically became extinct because of hunting and loss of nesting sites due to logging. The Wood Ducks’ recovery to healthy numbers was an early triumph of wildlife management.
I had seen many at a distance over the last few years and I was aware that many residents of the Kings Grant neighborhood in Virginia Beach had erected nesting boxes for Wood Ducks. I had been fortunate to see some new ducklings in the Kings Grant neighborhood ponds. But, I had never had an opportunity to get close to an adult male, until one day in April, 2017.
I was driving through the neighborhood that April afternoon, noting all the Wood Duck boxes. I stopped at a smaller, neighborhood pond as I saw a subtle movement in the water vegetation. It was a Wood Duck pair, foraging for food. I parked, slowly exited the vehicle, and slid down the side of my SUV to the ground to watch. I was fairly certain that if either one of the pair saw me, the encounter would be over.
They continued to feed, seemingly oblivious to my presence. I continued to sit there. An hour went by. The male finally turned my way and started swimming towards me. He swam at a pretty good clip too, fairly intent on some new vegetation right in front of me, I think. I held my breath and then he just stopped. I started clicking. He started dabbling for food. This photo is when he came up for some air. That part of the experience lasted just 2 minutes, as the female started squealing. I don’t know if she saw me or something else but as I searched for her, he took off and the observation ended.
It was my most productive time with this beautiful species and one I will always treasure. Thank you, Mr. Wood Duck!