Posing Pochard duckling

I spent quite a bit of time after work beside the lake photographing a female Pochard and her brood of two in the sunny evening light. They were very close to the path this evening, and whilst the mother was wary, she did not withdraw. The ducklings were continuously diving and were quite a challenge to photograph ! Meanwhile the female was keeping a watchful eye out for predators and aggressive Coots.

I was surprised to see two sets of two Pochard ducklings on the lake so late in the breeding season, especially since the females didn't seem to be incubating.

At some stage during the proceedings this particular duckling got up out of the water and stretched its wings. I was lucky to have my lens trained on it !

More Pochard photos