Like most ducks, gadwalls avoid people, especially in regions where they can be hunted. It took me a while to find a cooperative member of this species, but I was rewarded for my patience when this male swam close by during its early morning foraging. I found the reflections of the dry reeds a nice complement to the gadwall's muted colors.
Male yellow-headed blackbirds are striking looking birds with their black and bright yellow plumage. One of the images I had envisioned of this species was in its spring habitat where the blackbird would stand out against the green surroundings. So, I was happy to see this blackbird fly into a pack of reeds and show up a few moments later. It stayed for a few seconds before darting back into the reeds, but that was enough for me to fire a couple of shots.
