Ruddy Duck

Ruddy Duck swimming in a pond.
Ruddy Duck, San Joaquin Marsh, Irvine, CA, June 20, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-320; f/11; 1/400 sec.

This page is for the Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis). I have taken shots of other ducks with a blue bill, but they were always some other duck. I was happy to see a few Ruddy Ducks on one of the ponds at the marsh. The first day all the males were asleep, so you can only see a small section of blue.

Two Ruddy Ducks swimming, The male with his blue bill is in front and has his tail feathers pointed up. The female is swimming casually a few feet behind.
Ruddy Duck, San Joaquin Marsh, Irvine, CA, June 19, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-1600; f/10; 1/800 sec.
Female Ruddy Duck swimming on a small pond.
Ruddy Duck, San Joaquin Marsh, Irvine, CA, June 18, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-500; f/10; 1/320 sec.
Male Ruddy Duck sleeping. Its blue bill is barely visible.
Ruddy Duck, San Joaquin Marsh, Irvine, CA, June 18, 2023
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x Teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-500; f/10; 1/320 sec.
Six Ruddy Ducks resting on the water.
Ruddy Duck, Lake Viridian, Arlington, TX, February 2, 2025
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-320; f/10; 1/800 sec.
Nearly two dozen Ruddy Ducks swimming in the middle of the lake.
Ruddy Duck, Lake Manawa SP Council Bluffs, IA March 12, 2025
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-320; f/10; 1/800 sec.
Ruddy Duck swimming in the middle of the lake.
Ruddy Duck, Pawnee SRA, NE March 14, 2025
Canon EOS R5 with Canon 100-500 mm L-series lens with 1.4x teleconverter; 700 mm; ISO-400; f/11; 1/1000 sec.