Wood Ducks, males
Aix sponsa
Wood Duck · Prospect Park · 23 May 2026
Three drake Wood Ducks in full breeding plumage on Prospect Park Lake, among the most ornately patterned ducks in North America and birds of wooded water across the continent. The park's lake, with old trees at the edge, is exactly what they need.
Wood Ducks nest in tree cavities, sometimes well away from water, and the ducklings - unable to fly and with no way down except to jump - simply do exactly that within a day of hatching, bouncing off the ground or water below largely unharmed thanks to their light weight.
Birds, insects, plants and other wildlife, mostly from Brooklyn, with some from further afield.
Every photograph comes with notes on what it is.
Selected
Favourite shots. Filter by subject, or .
Places
Everything, by where it was taken.
Species
Larger catalogue of photos organized by species of animal or plant.
Catalogue
Every photograph, newest first. Narrow it by period, place or species; the three work together.
Updates
Coming soon. Sign up at the bottom of the page for updates.