I wish I’d been closer than the far reach of my lens, struggling for focus in the thick of weather. I snapped these from the shore, capturing the distant dynamics of a Bufflehead courtship ritual. Two males were vying for the one female pictured here.

Bufflehead Courtship

Bufflehead Courtship - ©ingridtaylar

Bufflehead Duck Courtship

Vying - ©ingridtaylar

Female Bufflehead

Female Bufflehead - ©ingridtaylar

Bufflehead Courtship

Bufflehead Courtship - ©ingridtaylar

Male Bufflehead

Male Bufflehead - ©ingridtaylar

Male Bufflehead in Flight

Bufflehead Skip - ©ingridtaylar

Bufflehead Courtship

Bufflehead Courtship - ©ingridtaylar

Bufflehead Mating and Courtship

Pairing Off - ©ingridtaylar