Mallard Hen, Papago Park

Mallard Hen (Duck), Papago Park. ⇑

This photo shows a Mallard Hen in Papago Park, Phoenix, Arizona. This dabbling duck is one of the permanent residents of the fishing lagoons in Papago. I spent a number of pleasant evenings in Papago Park photographing the ducks and migrating waterfowl during the winter months.

This photos was shot using a Nikon D40, and the Nikon 55-200mm VR lens. The evening sun cast golden reflections on the water that I used as a background for this shot. Because the ducks were being fed, there were quite a few in this lagoon. I composed this photo by choosing the area I wanted to use as a background, and waiting until a duck waded through it. You can see more of my Birds, Ducks & Geese in the photo gallery.