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Drake in eclipse plumage

© Micky Cleveland

Drake in eclipse plumage

Uploaded: July 01, 2017 | Entered: July 01, 2017 11:02:22

Description

Drake in eclipse plumage
Many ducks have bright, colorful plumage, exhibiting strong sexual dimorphism. However, they molt into a dull plumage after breeding in mid-summer. This drab, female-like appearance is called eclipse plumage. When they shed feathers to go into eclipse, the ducks become flightless for a short period of time. Some duck species remain in eclipse for one to three months in the late summer and early fall, while others retain the cryptic plumage until the next spring when they undergo another molt to return to their breeding plumage.



Exif: F Number: 7.1, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/2000 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 2500, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 500.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 6D

Comments

Shirley D. Freeman July 01, 2017

What a great capture, Micky! Very interesting information that you provided too. I never new they went through an eclipse! <>< #1690263

Micky Cleveland level-classic July 01, 2017

Thanks Shirley, I went on line trying to figure out what species of duck this was and ran across the article and a picture of the Mandarin Duck (Drake) in eclipse plumage, so now we both know! #11616092

Micky Cleveland level-classic July 01, 2017

I forgot, yes it is a Mandarin Duck Drake)! #11616093

Joanna Kovalcsik level-classic July 01, 2017

Neat capture and description, Mitch! Very nice comp and bokeh. #11616186

Micky Cleveland level-classic July 02, 2017

Thanks Joanna #11616295

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