Mallard and Merganser chicks

[SteveA]

The folks at the pond tell me the hawks have been all around and are taking many of the chicks.

I named this picture.. "Take this Octomom!"

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Long shot, with a lousy set-up. I'm going to try these guys again. Mom is very aware of everything around her and dosen't like company.

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[SteveA]

Any day that even looks like it maybe a good sunrise I head down to the lake to snap a few pictures. (Curse of the "early riser" :rolleye1:) While waiting for the sun, I get to see all sorts of creatures from birds to bugs getting up and heading out to work.

Just after the hatch I've watched lot's of ducks.. hundreds I would guess. The one thing you notice is that the duckling count always goes down. Seems that ducklings are food for predators.. a little sad.. but natures way.

This is one exception... this merganser has managed to keep all eleven of her brood out of harms way. She is there with her 11 ducklings everyday.. heading off from her nest area at one end of the LSP property to the other.

Every time I see her, I count the ducklings and all 11 are still present and accounted for and heading off for their day.

I know she is just one of probably thousands of ducks on Winnipesaukee, but I think she's pretty amazing.

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[Jonas Pilot]

It's tough shooting long in low light, isn't it?

[SteveA]

It's tough shooting long in low light, isn't it?

Yes it is! I did just add this lens to my bag.. fabulous lens. not much of a "zoom" to it.. but the wide open f1.4 is very cool. Just arrive late last week and I'm just starting to play with it.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-50mm-f-1.4-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

This was a test the other day at f1.6, 1/1250 secs, ISO 200

Very sharp.. that's not a dirty lens.. it's bugs in the air right in front of the lens.

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[Rattlesnake Gal]

It is quite amazing that she still has all of her babies still! Excellent photographs Steve. I am totally enjoying your hobby! :D

[donnamatrix]

Actually, I think the biggest threat to the duck chicks are not hawks, but large mouth bass. I have seen (unfortunately) a bass just come up and take a Merganser chick. I now it's the circle of life, but the chicks are so cute!

[secondcurve]

If the Bass don't eat the young Merganzer chicks when they grow up and become adult Merganzers they will eat lots of young Bass.

[SteveA]

If the Bass don't eat the young Merganzer chicks when they grow up and become adult Merganzers they will eat lots of young Bass.

Circle of life... seeing as the ancestors of both the bass and the loons predate humans on our little old world, seems like mother nature has figured out how to get the balance right. :D

[Newbiesaukee]

Now,about those Canada geese...

[tis]

Now,about those Canada geese...


YES YES YES! What can we do about them?