Blue-winged Teal
I’ve photographed Blue-winged Teal before, but only at a great distance.
So it was exciting to find them closer to the shoreline at the 10,000 Islands NWR in the Everglades NP.
Warning…..photo overload!
Blue-winged Teal among the mangroves at 10,000 Islands NWR
The ops got even better when a few pairs would break away from the group and come in closer.
Blue-winged Teal (male leading female)
Blue-wing Teal
Blue-winged Teal
During one of my morning visits, the entire flock took flight, one group after another.
Blue-winged Teal in flight
They turned their flight slightly more to the left, and flew on by me.
Blue -winged Teal
Blue-winged Teal
Blue-winged Teal
Blue-winged Teal
I stayed with them as much as I could. It is always exciting to get a flock in flight!
Sorry, too many favorites, just two more of the male.
Blue-winged Teal (male)
Blue-winged Teal
Photos by Donna 
Excellent photos again Donna and another new one for me! 😁
Thank you, Mike! Yay!! 😊
Those are beautiful, another new bird for me.
Thank you, Sandra! 🙂
Such pretty ducks Donna, only ever seen one over here, lovely flight shots showing where they get their name from.
Thank you, Brian! I love ducks and getting these opportunities were a thrill for me. There were a couple other nearby photographers/birders, I remember kinda shouting, “BWTeal taking flight!” 😊 I’m usually quiet, lol.
Beautiful series of images Donna! Enjoyed seeing them! Loved the flight images!
Thank you, Reed, I just mentioned to Brian how much a thrill it was getting these close opportunities for me, especially when they took flight! Gosh, I LOVE the challenge of flight! 😉
No, definitely now photo overload. Too beautiful for that.
Donna these are great! I love the wing patterns of the flock in flight. You had ideal lighting and calm water for beautiful reflections. Congrats on these beauties! I remember doing at boat tour at 10,000 Islands in 2018. What a great place.
Thank you, Susan! I’ve found some great spots for early morning bird photography. We’re doing a boat tour today of the 10,000 Islands. 🙂
I love their blue wings! Great flight shots!
Thank you!
I love them in flight with the blue showing, and the pairs swimming together. Great collection!
Thank you, Jane!
I understand your joy in finding these flocks of the gorgeous blue-winged teal, Donna. Great photos in flight, close-ups, wonderful with the mangrove background. Thanks so much for bringing them to us.
Thank you, Jet! It’s awesome to gather more captures of a species one doesn’t see often. 🙂
Do not be sorry! It was a lovely series! The shots of them in flight are just beautiful. I rarely see them. What a treat!!
Thank you, Deborah! It was awesome to see these ducks much closer and then in flight as a flock!
Sweet babies. A local woman raises Welsh Harlequins and s
Geez…stupid phone!
As I was saying…she sells duck eggs and delivers. Healthy ducks. Healthy eggs. Rich flavor.
They are beauties! Hmmm….I don’t believe I’ve ever had a duck egg.
Huge yolks. Very tasty.
I’d like to try a goose egg. Guinea eggs are way too little. Then, there’s caviar…☺😁
Beautiful Donna
Thank you Seraja!
Your welcome love your posts
Awww thank you, me yours too! Freddie & Queen were a big part of my high school years late 70’s. 🙂
Ah that’s so cool . I was to young . Lol I was born in 1981 .and become listen to music in the 90s
Followed a few this morning myself 🙂 Love the flock in flight, hard to get, and very hard to get right.
Thank you, Ted, me and my trigger finger got lucky with the Teals going from my far right and passing by me to my far left. 🙂
Stunning pics!
Thank you, Ingrid!
Beautiful shots all round, love the flight shots Donna! 🙂
Thank you, Ashley! 🙂
Absolutely incredible flight shots there! I love the flashes of blue on the wings of each. I’ve never seen that many in one spot. And most of my photos of them are blurry shots as they rapidly retreat into hiding behind the marsh grasses. Great job! William — “What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at Your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations.” Psalms 104 The Message
Thank you, William! I’ve photographed them as a flock in flight before when they were so far away, and my photos didn’t do them justice. I was super-thrilled when I downloaded these! The morning light did most of the work. 🙂
And there I was wondering how they got their name as I looked at the first few pictures in this post. Great shots.
They do like to hide their signature blue-wing speculum, I was excited to get captures showcasing it. 🙂
Wow, outstanding photos, Donna! Now I know where they got their name — you’ve illustrated them perfectly! ❤
Thank you, Eliza! The morning light was superb in showcasing that blue-wing patch. 😊
Wonderful photos, Donna! Terrific birds in flight shots!
Thank you, Belinda!
Gorgeous shots, Donna. 😍
Thank you, Sylvia! 🙂
Wonderful captures of these beauties, Donna, both the closeups and in-flights! I love to watch them fly and turn like that, what a treat to be so close.
Thank you, Ellen! Me too! I know my brain was shouting ‘turn, turn’ as they started banking to the left, hoping I could get the morning light on their wings. 🙂
You did great, Donna! Very nice shots 😍
Thank you, it was an awesome encounter! 😊
Yes, I guess so😊
Gorgeous series of this beautiful bird. Thanks, Donna.
Thank you kindly, Isabel!
Ahhh nice! Love the shots where you can see why they got their name. I had never seen that. They are so beautiful.
Thank you, Gunta! Boy, when I saw them taking flight, my adrenaline started pumping. I think I get most excited with birds in flight challenge! 😊