Finally I am getting around to editing some of my wood duck images from my trip to Ohio. It was an amazing contrast in their tolerance of humans compared to around here in Michigan. Around my house, I am happy to get a wood duck shot within 30 feet – and that took some work. Most likely you would have to be in a blind spending many hours on an approach. They are incredibly skittish around here. Usually you can’t even get within 100 feet without spooking them. So it was quite strange to have them practically under foot or too close to focus on.
A lot of wildlife is fairly skittish around Michigan, with a few exceptions. Approachable wildlife hotspots typically become ‘paparazzi’ like as far as photographers being present. Sometimes that can be problematic depending on the attitudes and respect offered to the subjects and surroundings. I became one of the wood duck paparazzi on this particular day. I admit I am attracted by their striking appearance like most probably are. There are interesting parallels you could draw with those that chase celebrities. Only the ‘pretty’ ducks were being photographed. In fact one bystander actually commented while watching a group of 6 photographers intently snapping away at wood ducks that swam into the good light – “You almost feel sorry for the Mallards for not getting any attention..” It is not that mallards aren’t also attractive birds, but hey – when a wood duck is around, they become the starlets on the red carpet. The same thing happens for bears, elk, moose, eagles, and so on. Is there too much glamor in wildlife photography? Are we too quick to switch gears to the next pretty face?
I’ll take time with just about any wildlife because it is fairly rare to have such close encounters around here. However, the similarities to celebrity fascinations we often like to poke fun at are closer to home than we might care to admit.
– which have a bit smoother texture and consistency than Clif Bars and are also quite good. I am in the process of ’sampling’ more of their flavors. 
They are made from 100% whole food, with no more than 6 total ingredients per flavor which they take a lot of pride in. I like their 