Just a short sequence taken during the lunchtime drizzle. These are a pair of the larger ducks that inhabit the pond. They were pecking at each other for about 20 minutes (with the odd break in between). It may have been a prelude to mating, but the female was ducking the male much of the time. They eventually went their separate ways.
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.
derWandersmann
9 Dec 2011Nice sequence! Too bad you don't have the soundtrack.
cakkleberrylane
9 Dec 2011They don't look as if they have suffered any damage. Very interesting to watch, I'm sure.
gdare
9 Dec 2011Are you sure it was a fight? :left: :whistle:
Words
10 Dec 2011Darko, honest answer is 'no'. It could have been courtship behaviour, but duck courtship can get pretty aggressive.
Words
10 Dec 2011dW, it was fairly noisy by the pond, but these two were actually keeping quiet!
Words
10 Dec 2011Lois, I doubt it was serious. I have seen much more aggressive fighting among the mallards.
derWandersmann
10 Dec 2011Yes, and it frequently takes a gang of drakes to hold the hen while mating occurs.
SittingFox
11 Dec 2011The chicks (if they have any) are going to be a strange colour :right:
Words
13 Dec 2011Adele, I'll keep an eye open for them in the spring. At least the parents are easy to identify.