Nothin kinky going on – just a redhead spreading some oil from oil gland at base of tail on feathers to make them more waterproof.

In most geese both parents attend to the young, but females are the ones to brood the goslings when they get chilly and need some warming.

This male canvasback is doing a “head-throw” which is the male canvasback’s equivalent to a great pick-up line – meant to impress the females.

This drake blue-winged teal is in excellent breeding (alternate) plumage, normally acquired in late January or February and held until mid summer.  Males never look like this in teal season in September.

Geese hate to be alone, even if it means flying with species that Ross Geese normally try to avoid in air or in feeding fields

This male redhead is trying to impress the ladies by doing the redhead version of the head throw (see Canvasback photo above) display.

As relatively small ducks, Blue-wings have more predators to watch for than larger ducks.  This male is keeping a eye on something overhead.

Canvasbacks form their pair bonds much later than dabbling ducks, but in March, everyone is looking over for a mate.

The first thing hens do when they get on one of their 2-3 incubation breaks during a day is to take a vigorous bath.  Then they think about a quick meal, another bath, then back to the eggs.

Like Canvasbacks, Redheads don’t pair until march or April, but when in those months there are plenty of arguments about who is the studliest male.  Females have the final say.

Preferred lunch is something with lots of protein to fuel growth of muscle mass – big bugs are best!

During the frantic pairing phase the loser of the female-initiated game of follow the hen is a looser and is very likey to reamin unpaired for the season, since there are more males than females.

Young ducklings often exercising those wing muscles but it will be many weeks before this guy can fly.

We suspect that only a naive young female canvasback would be interested in such a scruffy looking male.