I should probably start by addressing the elephant in the post – another year, another attempt at the 100K ultra run and unfortunately, the exact same results. Last year, extremely disappointed missing the 100K mark, this year ecstatic I made it one mile much less 50. Full summary in an upcoming post, but the synopsis is the master plan of completing the 50 mile race, tossing that finish for a DNF after one loop of the 100 mile category fell short (again). Called it after completing the 50 mile distance and accepted the finisher belt buckle. Too much to overcome – the elbow still in recovery and unable to stand up the day before the race thanks to blowing up the back tearing down the trail. Already missed the 50K this year, wasn’t going to miss this start. Again, details to come, but I lathered up with Tiger Balm before each loop and gritted through the 10 mile repeats. Bad enough, but tragedy struck on the second loop – nailed a hidden root in the middle of a prairie crossing and crashed down on the bad elbow. When it rains it … Anyway, on the 40->50 mile loop the back screamed it had enough, the elbow was pissed and the roots were living rent free in my head ever since the sun went down. Essentially 49 miles more than I had any expectation of completing, declared victory, graciously accepted the buckle and set my sights on next year. All things come at a cost as I am now paying the “pain toll”. Thought it appropriate to get out this year’s Fail collection while I recover (link here).
Going to be a bit of time before I’m back on my feet, so wanted to make the best of it and get a few posts out starting with today’s featured feathered friend.
Hit the jump to see a few more shots of this patron duck of ultra runners.
I guess to be truly accurate, this duck would have red elbows, red knees, red feet and a red back to go along with its signature red/cinnamon head to really capture the spirit of a trail runner ha. Well, minimally the bill on the Redhead Duck does look like it has taken its share of tumbles in the dirt.
I happen to really like the Redhead. You shouldn’t have to work too hard to ID it in the field beyond easy work of distinguishing it from the Canvasback (link here). It has really clean color lines and that black tipped grey slate bill with the white beauty line is the perfect balance to that exquisite orange eye.
I also appreciate Ducks with ranges that cover virtually all of North America. Catch them in the southern states during the non-breeding season, upper west for their breeding months and keeps your eyes open as their migration paths take them through essentially every state but the tip of New England. This year we enjoyed a huge flock on South Padre Island for our January stay and then had a chance to photograph them again during our March Vegas trip. This series comes from that ladder visit, specifically at the pond in Sunset Park.
If you recall, this is the same park where we found the female Phainopepla featured in the previous post (link here). The Redheads on SPI tend to hang out in the Laguna Madre waters farthest out from the SPI Birding and Nature Center visitor center. Their boardwalk will take you out into the Laguna, but you’ll still be glad you brought your big glass when it comes to the Redheads. This is definitely not the case at Sunset Park. The residents there are conditioned to humans …well, specifically to humans with food. Honestly, not a fan of that practice, but I will take advantage of it when it comes to getting nice shots of Ducks. This specimen came so close to me I had to back up to get back in the focus range of The Beast. Thinking that eye was brighter than normal with “anger” after finding out it would not be rewarded with food for its posing.
Should get to some interesting facts before letting you go. As much as I like the look of the drake (females and immatures are dressed in subdued browns), I have to chastise the females for being brood parasites. Yes, like those asshat Cowbirds (link here), they have a nasty habit of dropping their eggs in the nest of others. This includes intra and inter species making Mother’s Day a gifting nightmare. Also results in a lot embarrassing questions by male Ducks when the eggs start to crack. Lastly, I was completely surprised when I read on Cornell’s site that a large number of the wintering population tend to migrate to the Laguna Madre with flocks up to 60K. That explains the shocking numbers we were seeing down there. They feast on the abundant saltgrass in the bay.
Time for some foam rolling and back stretches. Take care everyone!
Life Intrigued 