There is a no more beautiful way to set off an image of a water bird than by using the reflective qualities of still waters.  Clean and simple usually equates with powerful in nature photography.  I look for these opportunities wherever I can.

I know what some of you are thinking.  Do you not rant and rave about the need to show both wildlife habitat and less than perfect wildlife?  Yes!  Firstly these birds are indeed in a natural habitat.  I also “rant and rave” that we can do it all.  Perfect clean and simple pictures.  Photos of perfect birds.  We still have time to create images of busy but important habitats.  Birds in molt, or covered with ticks.  We really can do it all and the pctures below represent one type of photography.

The Northern Shoveler wins my personal award for the species that most often appears in those calm, clear waters.  Dabbling ducks like this seem to find their way into this habitat quite often.

Wading and shorebirds are perfect for those pretty waters as well.  Some shorebirds are more often found in mudflats or rocky beaches but you can usually find Yellowlegs wading in this habitat. In this case both of our birds are “lesser” so to speak.

Our next image of a scruffy young Pied-billed Grebe could probably be viewed upside down without a lot of difference.  Mirror images are always pretty.

As pretty as mirror images are, it is not always necessary to have a perfect reflection.   Sometimes a soft, gentle, yet disturbed reflection can be nice.  I think the male Northern Pintail is one of the world’s most elegant ducks.

Bonus Shots

Our two bonus shots this week only have the theme of water in common with the above shots.  These are two of my favorite Wisconsin waterfalls.  The top image is Morgan Falls in the Chequamegon National Forest, and our second image of a falls with a split personality is located in Amnicon Falls State Park.

Thank you and Happy Trails,

Wayne