This year we’ve seen reduced numbers of Blue Winged Teal hanging around. Last year was pretty dry and I kept water levels in the wetland high as long as I could – therefore, I think that I had one of the few places around that the Teal could hang out. This year there is water everywhere due to above average spring rains so I think they are a bit more spread out.
Pair of males on a warm May morning
These two were part of a group of 6. They gave me a pretty good look as they let me get to about 40 yards distance before they went into alert mode. They blasted off seconds later. By now, they are getting used to me walking around and taking pictures each morning. But they have their limits.
- Male BWT shows off his blue & green wing feathers
This male gives you a hint of the beautiful blue and green wing feathers that the BWT’s display when in flight. They will be gone soon. We’ll see a few as they pass back through heading south this fall but we won’t see any real numbers of these guys until next March – May.