Patricia Gonzalez is an NYBG Visitor Services Attendant and avid wildlife photographer.
Wood ducks are among the most challenging wildlife to photograph at the Garden. Getting a close-up is quite difficult as they will fly off in an instant if I get too close. But the effort is worth it. I love shooting the drakes, who—as my new friend in the photo demonstrates—are very colorful.
Wood ducks (Aix sponsa) – Photo by Patricia Gonzalez
When the ice is away, the ducks will play! Pat Gonzalez was out and about with her bird-friendly camera recently, snapping pictures of the raptors and fowl that spend their days in the Garden. While on the prowl, she happened upon this Red-breasted Merganser, looking decidedly punk with his full mohawk. The mallards, meanwhile, wanted nothing to do with the poultry paparazzi.
How does that adage go? Would you rather be a big duck in a little pond, or a little duck in a big pond? Clearly, this lady mallard–who looks right at home in the Home Gardening Center‘s rather small pond–has made up her mind.
This mama duck decided that one of the beds in the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden would be a perfect place to start a new family, so she built a nest right in the middle of one!
Mama Duck says “Quack!” (photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen)
Garden Member and avid amateur wildlife photographer Patricia Gonzalez sent over this picture of a female Ruddy Duck that she snapped at the Garden this weekend.
Female Ruddy Duck (photo courtesy of Patricia Gonzalez - All Rights Reserved)
