Ruddy Duck: spark bird

 A "spark bird" is the bird that started your interest in birding. For me it was the Ruddy Duck. These are a small but true diving duck. The first year of Covid we did our camping at Linden, Alberta and that is where I first became aware of Ruddy Ducks. The breeding males are so colourful and have such an attitude. 

Olympus OMD M5-II, 100-400 mm lens + MC20, 800mm, ISO 5000, 1/1600, f/13

The following picture is a breeding pair.  I love the way the male's head feathers form ridges on the side of the head. 

Olympus OMD M5-II, 100-400 mm lens + MC20, 800mm, ISO 1250, 1/800, f/13

Mating behaviour is always interesting.  And male Ruddy Ducks create bubbles as part of their behaviour. 

Olympus OMD M5-II, 74-300 mm lens, 300mm, ISO 2500, 1/1600, f/6.7