A Long-tailed Duck Scratching That Itch / by Todd Henson

Scratch that itch! Notice its bluish feet.

Back in 2019 I was fortunate to witness a duck just a tad off course during its Spring migration. A long-tailed duck showed up at the beautiful Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, a location I wish I was able to get to more often, and we just happened to be there to see it. So I went back the next day with my longest lens and spent the entire day happily photographing this duck as it swam around the same little pond, diving down for food every so often.

Notice its foot again, draped over its back

In going through the photographs I noticed a number of them where the duck is scratching an itch, or in some cases likely just preening, and I think each photograph is interesting for the different positions and looks of the duck. In some you can’t see its long tail at all, in others its very visible. And some show its fascinating bluish webbed feet, which are most often hidden below the surface.

Another view with its leg stretched across its back

The long-tailed duck with head down, preening.

I hope you enjoy this look back at this beautiful bird, one I’ll never forget.

To see more of this beautiful duck take a loot at:

Oh, yeah, right there! Notice the long tail.


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