17 January 2013

Male whio (blue duck), Pohangina river


The family of whio swam towards us and the male climbed out onto a boulder near the edge of the pool while the female and the two big ducklings (that's one in the background) paddled around nearby. We sat, entranced, watching them. Through binoculars they seemed to be within touching distance.


[6 January 2013, Panasonic Lumix GH1, 100–300 mm at 177 mm, ISO 200, 1/640 at f8]

All content © 2012 Pete McGregor

7 comments:

Elephant's Child said...

Such a stunning bird. Thank you. How long do the ducklings remain in the family group?

Relatively Retiring said...

What a handsome and intelligent-looking family.

Ruahines said...

Kia ora Pete - Ataahua!

Zhoen said...

MR Ducks.

MR not.

OSAR, CM Wangs.

OICM. MR Ducks.

If you can't figger this out, I'll be by later to 'splain.

pohanginapete said...

Elephant's Child, I'm not sure how long they stay together. However, the adults moult after raising a brood, and given that this moult happens over the summer (I believe), the young birds probably disperse soon after attaining their full adult plumage. I might be wrong though.

RR, it was a beautiful family — wonderful to see.

Robb, beautiful indeed!

Zhoen:
Them are ducks
Them are not
Oh yes they are, see them wings
Oh I see them, them are ducks
OK? :^)

Relatively Retiring said...

O, MR! CDBDIs

pohanginapete said...

RR — :^D !