On 15 November 2024, this Pacific Black Duck came very close to me at the Oak Street Wetland. Of the native ducks, the Pacific Black Duck is probably the one that is most comfortable with human, especially if they are used to being fed.
Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/640s f/6.3 ISO2800
This dramatic looking image was taken in the morning of 10 November 2024 at the Oak Street Wetlands within an hour of sunrise. The sky was clear and the rising sun cast a warm light onto the wetland.
While the ducks looked like they were charging toward me, this is common behavior of these ducks. They are swimming towards me expecting to be fed. Visitors to the Oak Street Wetland generally don’t feed the wildlife, these ducks must have come from a location where they are being pampered. As a rule, it is best not to feed wildlife as they need to develop the skills to feed themselves and the food people give wildlife may not be appropriate.
First: Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/640s f/6.3 ISO450
Another very common species in Australia is the Pacific Black Duck. They are so common that most wildlife photographers and birders do not bother to photograph them.
As part of my photographic quest, I want to photograph very species in Trin Warren Tam-boore incorporating the Oak Street Wetland. This is my attempt at the Black Duck during sunrise that cast a beautiful warm light on the subject. This particular photograph was taken on 8 November 2024.
Nikon Z9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/640s f/6.3 ISO640