American & Eurasian Wigeons
In past winters, I’ve been lucky to see and photograph American Wigeons, but always at a distance. In the past month, I’ve found them hanging out in a location closer to the shore. Several visits finally paid off for me to really show the beauty of this dabbling duck in wonderful lighting.
American Wigeon (male)
American Wigeons (male & female)
The American Wigeons’ calls are a cute, unique nasal whistle. It is pretty neat to hear them whistling constantly when they’re together in a flock.
American Wigeons
American Wigeon (male)
American Wigeon (male)
Even when they are departing, American Wigeons are gorgeous!
American Wigeon (male) in flight over ice
American Wigeon (male) in flight over ice
By March, American Wigeons will return back to their breeding grounds in Canada.
American Wigeons
These American Wigeon images have me recalling my first winter photographing American Wigeons in February 2012. Riding past the waterfront Holiday Inn at Kent Narrows, Maryland, I saw a group of people in the parking lot, along the waterfront with binoculars and cameras/tripods.
Of course, I pulled in! I grabbed my camera & 70-200mm lens and went to see what the hoopla was about. Several were excited to point out an Eurasian Wigeon among American Wigeons and other wintering birds.
I later learned that although common and widespread in the Old World, the Eurasian Wigeon is a sporadic visitor to North America. The ones we are fortunate to see each year along the Atlantic and Pacific coastlines likely come from eastern Siberia and Iceland.
Here’s my best shot through the reeds and cropped considerably of that Eurasian Wigeon, I shared back in 2012.
Eurasian Wigeon (male, dead center) with American Wigeons and Mallards
All the wigeons were gone the next day; and I visited quite often after that, hoping for their return, especially the Eurasian Wigeon, but to no avail.
Having only been amateur ‘birding’ for a year and a half, I found that moment quite exhilarating to see a bird that was rare to my area.
And, now, here I am, seven years later, more in love and fascinated with our amazing feathered friends, along with enjoying the opportunities to photograph and share their beauty with you. 😊
By the way, I’ve never seen an Eurasian Wigeon since.
Photos by Donna 
Beautiful photos Donna, I envy your skills! ❤️😎
Awwww……thank you, John! ❤️
Wow! Beautiful pictures! Thanks for sharing them.
Thank you, Diane, and you’re welcome!
That’s an incredible ‘portrait’ picture of the male in flight. You should be very proud of that one in particular. It’s so sharp. 🙂
Thank you, Mike, I am! You and I keep thinking alike, I was spot-on that fella in flight! 😉 I am going to print that shot. I shoot in RAW so it’s going to enlarge nicely when I resize it. 🙂
It looks so perfect that it could have been computer produced, but clearly it wasn’t. It will grace any wall. 🙂
So glad you got that chance to photograph such a rare bird!
I am, thank you, Carol!
I like seeing the American Wigeons with their bright colours and you have some lovely shots with the male and female together, in good light with great reflections in the water. It is how I see them here in Canada in the early spring with a bit of evident ice. Now, to see the Eurasian Wigeon would be such a thrill, because that is rare and no wonder there was such a gathering of birders and photographers! I am happy for you and will try and find an image of an American Wigeon that I spotted that has slightly different markings from the other males.Happy shooting!
Thank you, Jane! I am glad to be living in an area that has such a variety of wintering birds, including these AWigeons. Don’t you just love their whistling calls! The Eurasian Wigeon sighting was special to me, as a rare sighting is to all of us. 🙂 I’d like to see the photo you speak of. Stay warm up there!
Very nice captures. I really like the three “couples” shots you got.
Thank you, David. I forgot to mention, there were about three dozen wigeons there that day, so I had quite a few “couples” ops as they moved around. I worked the most on those and the inflight ops, took almost 200 photos. It was hard to select just a few for this post, lol. They are a beautiful sight on a cold winter day around here!
I hate myself when I take a gazillion photos because I am so terrible at editing down to a reasonable number. Some how I think a nuance like a quarter turn of the head from the last shot means it is unique and should be kept. Ugh!
I know what you mean……lol
Enjoyed the flight and portrait shots Donna!
Thank you, Steve! I’m very much thrilled with the male wing-spread inflight shot! 🙂
I’m guessing these were at Oakley Street Beach. We were there last year in similar good light and the detail on these birds was beautiful to see. Thanks for sharing. I’m thinking of your contact with the Eurasian Wigeon. So many times we see something and never see it again and think “Oh if only I had had a longer lens, brighter sun, etc, etc,”. I guess we are always striving for ‘perfection’ in that next capture. Thanks for sharing!
Such a good guesser! 😉 Susan, I’ve been there several times and the lighting or clouds just didn’t do these ducks justice. They need to have the right lighting to show their beauty and that day I got these was the day finally.
On your comments about seeing something only once and striving for better….that’s what helps drive yours and my passion with photography! Isn’t it a grand hobby?!!! 😊
Beautiful crisp and colorful images of these Wigeons Donna. I love seeing them when they return here in the Winter too. I hope to get out to do some birding soon. With any luck, I’ll see some Wigeons too.
Thank you, Deborah! Happy shooting when you get a moment away from that wee one! 😊 And I hope there are Wigeons for you!
Simply gorgeous images! Strange how things can be reversed, I remember my delight in seeing one of ‘your’ American Wigeon over here amongst ‘our’ Wigeon.
Thank you, Brian! I know what you mean, I’ve felt the same way. An example is ours and your Robin. Ours always look so stern with their eye markings while yours are so cute and adorable! 🙂
It is such a treat to view these photos! I have never seen an Eurasian Wigeon. They must have traveled long distances to get to the East Coast.
Thank you, Hien! It turned out to be a great stop that day. The Eurasian Wigeons migrate from Iceland and Siberia, whew a real long distance!
This is great Donna! The beautiful American Wigeons and their Russian connection!
Great pictures. 🙂
Thank you, HJ! Sounds like a book! lol 🙂
Thanks Donna for sharing this beautiful duck we never see in our part of the world. Lovely captures!
Thank you, Ashley, and you’re welcome! It was a really fun stop, there were about three dozen of them. I failed to take any wide angle shots to show them all. Still kicking myself on that, lol.
Beautiful crisp clear photos Donna, especially of the birds in flight.
Thank you, Sue! I’m really thrilled with the flight shots and got quite a few photos. It was hard to select just the few I did. The full wing-spread I am happy-dancing about! 🙂
Oh Donna, these are absolutely exquisite photos of the American wigeon. They are such a showy bird, and then the light, clarity, and chunky icy water just completes it. Each photo is a work of art. I liked seeing the Eurasian wigeon, too. That is so much fun when a wayward fella shows up.
Thank you, Jet! It took several visits to finally get a day of perfect lighting, and then to have about three dozen there, and the chunky ice, well you just couldn’t ask for more. Seeing a wayward fella just once for me is sort of like you seeing specific exotic wildlife around the world you might not see again. I think you’d agree, it is an awesome feeling! 😊
Such beautiful and handsome birds, both the American and Eurasian cousins 🙂 It’s already been said but wonderful series of great photos ❤
Thank you, Takami! I love you said they’re ‘cousins’! ❤ 😊
It’s a pleasure and I always look forward to viewing your photography 😀 ❤
And me yours! 😊 ❤
❤ ❤
Such beautiful birds!
They are quite attractive! Thanks, Terry! 🙂
Exquisite shooting, my dear! There is nothing quite like that thrill of seeing and recognizing a new bird. Even better if it’s a rare one. How clever of you to catch such great shots! Keep ’em coming!
Thank you, Gunta! I think you can tell I have fun with birds. And I will! 😊
-Brilliant set of images! Thank you,
Thank you, Isabel!
What perfect lighting and oh .. so cooperative is that male in flight! Gorgeous birds. A wall-hanger for sure. 😀
Thank you, Shannon! I am super pleased with all of them, but especially that flight shot. 😊
Outstanding shots of the pair. His head feathers are beautiful!
Thank you, Kathy! My previous visits didn’t show those beautiful male heads because the lighting wasn’t right, hence my numerous returns hoping they’d be back. This visit was the charm!
Beautiful. I’ve never seen this duck before.
Thank you Maralee. We only get the chance for about three months. They also migrate to the Pacific coastline but not sure if down as far as you are.
They are such beautiful birds, wonderfully photographed! I’ve only ever seen two pairs at any one time and have never seen a Eurasian wigeon.
Thank you, Belinda, I am pleased with this set! 😊
Beautiful images of beautiful waterfowl. ❤
Thank you, Martha!
Very nice Donna! Especially liked the American Wigeon male in flight with outstretched wings!
Thank you, Reed! Oh boy, I am super-thrilled with that flight shot! 🙂
Your photos are adorable, Donna. I also enjoy watching and listening to our wigeon winter visitors. Don’t you just love their soft whistles? Good for you for having come across a Eurasian Wigeon. You have seen one more than I. 🙂
Thank you, Tanja! I do! It makes them even more adorable. 🙂
Wonderful series and beautiful shots!
Thank you much!
Your waterfowl portraits are always a treat. These are superb. Love your header too…the lighting is pretty special. This subject is a photog niche that I don’t often visit, so I appreciate your ability to fill the void!
Thank you very much, Nick!