Rare male Masked Duck is at the Viera Wetlands

IraRunyan

12/24/2009 - The male Masked Duck is still at the wetlands in the west end of cell #4 just west of the park bench. It is still hanging out quite far away, but closer than he was yesterday. Still too far away to get a good photograph with my primitive equipment, but I tried anyway.

These three shots are big crops using my Tamron 200-500mm lens with a 1.7 extender attached giving me 850mm. As you can see, he is still to far away for my equipment.....

Harryb

Damn!!!!:pissed

The last time the little bugger showed up we were deluged with out of state birders wandering around looking for the sucker. With luck a gator or raptor will grab it before the frenzy returns.


Here's a capture of the sucker from his last visit in 2006



In 2006 war almost broke out between birders and photographers over the beast. The birders were afraid that the photographers were causing the duck distress.

One of my favorite moments was when I was setting up my tripod to get some eagle captures. A birder stopped her car and demanded to know why I wasn't on the other side where the masked duck was.

Gale

Ohhh no not him again....lolol
Well at least you got a shot of the bugger...lol
Merry Christmas

IraRunyan

Three years ago, it was a female Masked Duck, but this year a male has arrived.

First reported sighting was Tuesday 12/22/2009, and already the "Bird Nerds" and Bird Photographers are arriving in droves to get a chance of seeing this bird. Just head to the NW corner of the Viera Wetlands and the bird will be where all the photographic tripods are set up and you will also see all the "Bird Nerds" with binoculars and spotting scopes.

I'm just hoping that the Masked Duck will come close enough to the shore for me to get a decent shot........

By the way, Harry, that is an excellent shot of the female Masked Duck.

Harryb

IraRunyan wrote:

Three years ago, it was a female Masked Duck, but this year a male has arrived.

First reported sighting was Tuesday 12/22/2009, and already the "Bird Nerds" and Bird Photographers are arriving in droves to get a chance of seeing this bird. Just head to the NW corner of the Viera Wetlands and the bird will be where all the photographic tripods are set up and you will also see all the "Bird Nerds" with binoculars and spotting scopes.

I'm just hoping that the Masked Duck will come close enough to the shore for me to get a decent shot........

By the way, Harry, that is an excellent shot of the female Masked Duck.

Thanks for the info Ira. I know what spot to avoid now.:D
Good luck in getting a capture of the sucker. In 2006 it was very close to the shore and scad of captures were made by the assembly.

NorthernFocus

That is a crazy looking rascal. But from the description of the melee, it sounds like some folks are missing the point of having a hobby. I do this to relax Than again I moved to the least populated state for a reason too

IraRunyan

From the Brevard County Natural Resources Management Office:


The recent sighting of the Masked Duck Drake at the Rich Grissom Memorial (Viera) Wetlands has created a surge of public interest within the wetlands. Brevard County Utility Services and Natural Resources Management Office would like to remind all interested visitors of a few things to keep in mind when visiting the wetlands.

1. In an effort to control maintenance expenses, vehicles may be prohibited from some or all areas of the wetlands after a rain event. Foot traffic is still allowed.
2. With recent budgetary reductions, staff numbers are at a minimum. Therefore, staff can not assist people in locating birds and staff does not keep track of birds within the wetlands.
3. When parking to get out to view areas, please pull to one side of the road to allow traffic to pass. We do have visitors who prefer to just drive through.
4. The months of December through February are peak viewing season and weekends, especially holiday weekends, are becoming crowded. Please consider visiting the wetlands during off days such as Mondays.

Thanks,
Susan Gosselin
Environmental Scientist
Brevard County Natural Resources Management Office