Canvasback

Canvasback duck swimming. He has mud all over his face indicating that he was searching the bottom for food.
Canvasback, Fort Worth Nature Preserve Cross Timbers Trail footbridge, Fort Worth, TX, January 2, 2022
Canon EOS 5DS R with Tamron 150-600 mm lens; 600 mm; ISO-1000; f/6.3; 1/2500 sec.

This page is for the Canvasback (Aythya valisineria). My first photographic evidence of the Canvasback was on December 24, 2021 at the Fort Worth Nature Preserve, Fort Worth, TX. When I took the picture, I could not tell what species of ducks were swimming that far down the water (about 700 yards) I just knew there were ducks there, figuring I would identify them once I had the picture on the computer. I was quite surprised when I reviewed my photographs and identified the species as these are the first Canvasbacks I have seen in the wild. At that distance, most photographs do not turn out well, so I was very happy with this result. The best photograph I have taken of the Canvasback to date (above) is the January 2, 2022 photograph at Fort Worth Nature Preserve, Fort Worth, TX. I like this one as the duck had just resurfaced after feeding on the bottom, as evidenced by all the mud covering his face.

The following photographs are the best representative images from different dates and locations than my species representative example.

Two Canvasbacks swimming in the distance, with three other ducks nearby.
Canvasback, Fort Worth Nature Preserve Marsh Boardwalk, Fort Worth, TX, December 24, 2021
Canon EOS 5DS R with Tamron 150-600 mm lens; 600 mm; ISO-1000; f/6.3; 1/3200 sec.
Canvasback swimming in rough waters.
Canvasback, Fort Worth Nature Preserve Dead End Trail, Fort Worth, TX January 15, 2022
Canon EOS 5DS R with Tamron 150-600 mm lens; 600 mm; ISO-200; f/6.3; 1/800 sec.
Canvasback with a muddy bill swimming near a female Mallard and some grasses.
Canvasback, Fort Worth Nature Preserve Marsh Boardwalk, Fort Worth, TX, February 12, 2022
Canon EOS 5DS R with Tamron 150-600 mm lens; 600 mm; ISO-1250; f/6.3; 1/1600 sec.
A flock of 16 Canvasback ducks flying against a light blue sky.
Canvasback, Bitter Lake NWR, Roswell, NM, November 9, 2022
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-200; f/10; 1/800 sec. +0.3 exposure bias.
Canvasback, Oak Point Park, Plano, TX, January 21, 2024
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-640; f/10; 1/800 sec.