Owl and wood ducks on trail camera

Joe Friday

Joe Friday

Well-known member
Here in Eastern NC, there is a local wildlife photographer named Neil Jernigan. He does a great job with camera traps and has been working a beaver pond this spring. Lately Neil has been recording a mama wood duck and her babies. She started with 15, I think, but the brood has been culled some. Here is a short clip of an owl grabbing 2 ducks. pretty raw, yet fascinating, too.


https://youtu.be/gXtxMCb4S58

https://youtu.be/gXtxMCb4S58
 

As much fishing as I have done and still do. I have witnessed large Wood Duck broods go from many, to just two, or three. All were taken under by predatory fish, snapping turtles, etc. right before my eyes.

Yup, owls, herons, fish, snakes, etc. all gotta eat, same as us.

IMO killing 3 hen Wood ducks a day, during the season does much greater harm. That factor is in our control.


my 2 cents
 
Cool video, nature at work.


Not something I would go around saying in public. Owls have been protected for over 50 years, shooting one will not only give hunters a black eye, it will get you fined, big time.

Owl has as much right to take ducks, if not more, than we do.
 
Vince Pagliaroli said:
IMO killing 3 hen Wood ducks a day, during the season does much greater harm. That factor is in our control.


my 2 cents
Click to expand...

Couldn?t agree more about passing on hen wood ducks. If you wait an extra 10 minutes at first light they?re much easier to ID. While we?re at it, I could do without pile shots of 20 hen bufflehead all over the internet... what sense does it make to only have restrictions on hen mallards and not other species?
 
Not to completely derail the conversation:
I normally give "hen" buffies a pass unless its a really slow day.
But I've also found more than half the "hen" buffleheads I have shot in the past were actually immature drakes.
Size difference is clear when you have both a hen and an immature drake in hand.
 
I always try to take the drake if possible, but hens happen. Especially woodies, no matter how many you've shot the next one is a trophy.

Size difference is clear when you have both a hen and an immature drake in hand.
Click to expand...

The awesome size of the Bull Butterball! Can't help but chuckle at that. [smile]
 
That's incredible footage!

Nature definitely seems cruel as hawks, falcons, owls, herons, snakes, coons, bass, turtles, etc pick off "our" waterfowl.
 
Neil Jernigan is a very talented, and dedicated wildlife photographer. Take time to see his work on YouTube. You'll enjoy it.
 
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