Who is the fairest? Certainly this northern pintail duck posed long enough for the reflection in the water to be almost perfect and so he at least deserves some credit for helping me out. I really love capturing perfect bird reflections. They can be hard to pull off because you need a number of things to come together to make the image work: no wind at all, great light and a bird (easily said that done). The northern pintail (Anas acuta) is widespread across North America, Europe, and Asia. Slim and long-necked, it has an elegant appearance both on the water and in flight. Pintails are wary at all seasons, and become very secretive during the flightless stage of their molt in late summer.
The harlequin duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) is a small colorful sea duck. Its name comes from "histrio", in Latin and means actor. They have small bill, short neck, and long tail. Males in breeding plumage are unmistakable with their dark blue color, rufous sides and crown, and striking white patterning on the face, neck, sides, and back. Harlequin Ducks prefer turbulent water, both in their breeding habitat, which is along fast-moving mountain streams, and in their wintering habitat, which is along rocky coastlines.
