POTD 4Feb11, originally uploaded by andyskelton-a Blog a day http://andrewskelton.net.
It’s nice for once to display a photograph of a bird or animal that isn’t on the brink of extinction or threatened in some way, Ladies And Gentlemen may I introduce you to the American Wigeon. Ladies and Gentlemen – American wigeon, American wigeon – Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you very much.
Right that’s the formalities out of the way, let’s talk Ducks! American Wigeon are a migratory species, however the one pictured was a captive specimen taken during a visit to the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust’s (WWT) Headquarters in Slimbridge. Despite it’s captive nature, it was still tricky to snap.
Most birds are wary of human contact and care has to be taken not to alarm or startle them in any way if you want to observe and, of course, photograph them. Slow careful movements are needed rather than swinging the camera around after the bird, though sometimes in all the excitement it’s difficult to remember such things.
More often than not it’s best to let a bird come to you rather than you chase it; obviously a hide is the preferable solution,however predicting their movements and anticipating where they will move to so you can position yourself there can still produce results. Birds will get used to your presence and if they deem that you pose no threat may get close enough for you to get that killer shot, but not literally.
Now if only the sun and dry weather would return so I can heed my own advice.
Andrew Skelton: 
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