The best ways to spend your time don’t necessarily have the highest barriers to entry. They just demand effort and learning. This was abundantly clear to me after reading Sydney Michalski’s “It’s Maple Syrup Season!” in Moments, a wonderful publication with lovely images. Her article makes maple syrup sound equal parts intricate and accessible. It seems a common confluence for a worthwhile pursuit is accessibility—there’s nothing really
Excellent essay and images James. The Northern Shoveler is such a unique looking birds. Waterfowl is my weakest area I think in birding identification. That black and white image of the duck swimming to the right is amazing. Is that a Mallard or American Black Duck?
Thank you for this fascinating post, James. I feel like I went on a field trip. I love watching ducks and am fortunate to see a lot of them where I live. The Northern Shovelers are so unusual and incredible, almost prehistoric looking and a great example of form and function, Spatula clypeata. Your photo series is outstanding and I especially appreciate the diving photo, it’s a little mysterious and left to the imagination as to who might surface.
Such a wonderful article and accompanying photographs. One of my favourite activities is watching the ducks, and the Canada geese and the mute swans. There is zero barrier to entry; there are many ponds in and around Toronto where waterfowl congregate and have their meetings. I swear you can tell that they are having conversations. All you need to do is pay attention.
Excellent piece, James, and thanks so much for linking to my essay! It's so true - you wouldn't expect ducks to have much in common with maple syrup, but the accessibility + intricacies equation applies across the board!
Beautiful photography, as well - I honestly appreciate that you've included images of "this is what it usually looks like when you bird for ducks." I have so many pictures of blurry duck-butts disappearing underwater that still serve their purpose to remind me of how wonderful that particular duck was just as I pressed the button :)
I was a bit saddened to hear that "Most people don’t find ducks interesting" - who are these people? What strange condition has left them blind to the charms of ducks? I hope they find a cure 🤣
Excellent essay and images James. The Northern Shoveler is such a unique looking birds. Waterfowl is my weakest area I think in birding identification. That black and white image of the duck swimming to the right is amazing. Is that a Mallard or American Black Duck?
Thank you for this fascinating post, James. I feel like I went on a field trip. I love watching ducks and am fortunate to see a lot of them where I live. The Northern Shovelers are so unusual and incredible, almost prehistoric looking and a great example of form and function, Spatula clypeata. Your photo series is outstanding and I especially appreciate the diving photo, it’s a little mysterious and left to the imagination as to who might surface.
Such a wonderful article and accompanying photographs. One of my favourite activities is watching the ducks, and the Canada geese and the mute swans. There is zero barrier to entry; there are many ponds in and around Toronto where waterfowl congregate and have their meetings. I swear you can tell that they are having conversations. All you need to do is pay attention.
Excellent piece, James, and thanks so much for linking to my essay! It's so true - you wouldn't expect ducks to have much in common with maple syrup, but the accessibility + intricacies equation applies across the board!
Beautiful photography, as well - I honestly appreciate that you've included images of "this is what it usually looks like when you bird for ducks." I have so many pictures of blurry duck-butts disappearing underwater that still serve their purpose to remind me of how wonderful that particular duck was just as I pressed the button :)
I was a bit saddened to hear that "Most people don’t find ducks interesting" - who are these people? What strange condition has left them blind to the charms of ducks? I hope they find a cure 🤣
Love your structure. Refreshing invigorating photos. Superb ❤️