My first woodie of the year; and it's only May!!

Great series. I like the last two with the duck reflected in the water.

Great series. I like the last two with the duck reflected in the water.

Great series. I like the last two with the duck reflected in the water.

Great series. I like the last two with the duck reflected in the water.

great shots

Beautiful shots, Gerry. Number 3 is spectacular!

Thanks again everyone!
Thank you, Duane. Good luck in trying to get them. I wouldn't have a chance without a blind.
Thanks, Royce10. I am also constantly amazed by how pretty these ducks are.
Thank you, Downywp and I also like the first one the best. The second would have been better if I had gotten more of the "hairdo" on the left side of the bird.
Thank you, Stefeb. My wife likes that picture the best too because of the reflection.
Thanks for the nice comment, DL64; much appreciated!
Thanks Bill. That bird was very suspicious of that large object in the blind that was tracking him!

Gerry
http://www.pbase.com/p​addler

great shots of one of my favorite ducks paddler. i have a dozen pair on my pond down in the pastures. i do the same as you with portable blind. love getting close.

as an aside you mentioned

actually it was severe habitat loss due to modern farming and loss of natural wetlands and forests attributed to resediential encroachment.

ironically enough, they have made an astounding comeback DUE to hunters.

monetary contributions through licenses and other hutning purchases, as well as fundraisers, wood duck education programs and nesting box programs, throughout the country.

i myself have put up over 100 woodie boxes in my area over the last 10 years. more than likely the reason they are so plentiful at my place.

look for some of my woodie picks on other posts.

Thank you, Terryger! Aren't they beautiful birds?

I stand corrected for the reason the ducks almost became extinct. They certainly have made a great comeback.

They haven't nested in my nest box for the last two years. It's kind of a bummer because I love seeing the little ones.

Thanks again for the correction.

Gerry
http://www.pbase.com/p​addler