Masked Duck
Oxyura dominica

21 December 2004
Pintail Lake, Mad Island Preserve, Matagorda County, Texas, USA
Canon EOS 10D, 100-400mm IS lens, 1.4X extender.

A Masked Duck was found on the Nature Conservancy's Mad Island Preserve during the Mad Island Marsh Christmas Bird Count. A great photo was taken, but I'm not sure who found the bird or who took the photo. Nick Block, Heidi Trudell, and I obtained permission to look for the bird the next morning and, after a successful wait for a very predictable Thick-billed Kingbird, headed out to Pintail Lake. Three other birders pointed us in the right direction and informed us there was not one but two Masked Ducks present and within minutes we were enjoying scope views of both birds. Although they were quite a ways away, about 200m or so, both Nick and I were able to obtain identifiable photographs. After a while the pair flew around a bit and ended up landing a bit closer. We watched as one duck was brutally jabbed by a passing American Coot. Not one to sit idly by, the duck jabbed the coot in return the next time it came within reach. Oh well, you know what they say about Masked Ducks...

All images are copyrighted by Chris Merkord, all rights reserved