Green-Winged Teal

It’s winter in the Pacific Northwest, and that means you’re lucky to get in a walk between rain showers. So, despite the lack of sunshine, I felt lucky to get in another walk at Theler Wetlands, even if what could have been a good shot of a Belted Kingfisher turned out to be a silhouette shot.

The highlight of the morning is that we finally managed to see the Green-Winged Teal, that have been around for quite awhile, closer than usual.  Most of the flock kept their distance, 

but I did manage to get a closer shot of a pair separated from the flock

and of a lone male that bravely (or foolishly, considering it is still hunting season) came a lot closer than the others did.

I’ll have to admit that I was a little surprised when it  waddled up onto the shore, 

but I was grateful for the pose.