The Baikal Teal – Anas formosa
The Baikal Teal (Anas formosa), also called the Bimaculate Duck or Squawk Duck, is a dabbling duck that breeds in eastern Russia and winters in East Asia. Occurs in Alaska and in limited areas of the west coast states. Nests near swampy tundra areas. Spends winters on freshwater lakes, rivers, reservoirs, and farmlands, often roosting on water during the day and feeding in fields at night. –Birdlife International
I thought I would start off my conservation photography blog on a somewhat good note:
When I first got started photographing the Baikal Teal, it was listed as “Threatened” on the Endangered Species List.
Now, it is listed as “Least Concern” as its population is now growing rapidly and has not undergone the once-predicted declines.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the case with most wildlife on the Endangered Species List.
Despite its current population trend, the Baikal Teal remains potentially threatened by a number of factors, including; hunting, habitat loss and chemical and household contaminants in rivers.
What makes this one of my favorite animals to photograph?
- #1. My love for birds!
I’d be content doing nothing but photographing birds of all kinds for hours at a time. The more time you spend with birds, the more time you learn their behaviors and learn to anticipate their next move. - #2. It’s colors! Especially the male and in breeding season.
Males have a very distinct head pattern that sets them apart from other dabbling ducks, including patches of tan, green, white and black. The green is iridescent which can be tricky to translate through a picture. It takes patience and just the right light and angle to get this iridescence to shine both on-screen or in print.
Quick Tip!
The pictures above are photographed with the bird in mind vs encompassing some of its’ environment. This is more for establishing identification vs setting. A wide open aperture of f2.8 or f4 were used to get the sharp up close details coupled with the soft, blown out backgrounds.
Fun Facts:
- A group of teal has many collective nouns, including a “coil”, “dopping”, “knob”, “paddling”, and “spring” of teal.
- At night, Baikal Teals forage for acorns in the woods and grains and seeds by roadways.
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