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.
