The following represents my first opportunity to photograph a sequence of northern pintails, although I would be happier if the photos were clearer. At the time, I thought I was lazily photographing another bunch of mallards. I didn't realize the difference until I had examined the photos at home.
For those of you with older field guides, the northern pintail (Anas acuta) used to be known as the "common pintail." Despite the name change, the duck's Latin name remains the same.
The first photo is of a male pintail - and photographed through a bush, which acted like a softening filter. Nevertheless, one can see a primary identifying mark of the male northern pintail, a long white streak going up his neck.
