Redheads on Rope

I love to watch redheads fly. On the wing they are the Italian sports cars of the waterfowl world. These spring redheads, Aythya americana, are dropping into a settling pond just north of the Western Sugar Refinery (beet) in Fort Morgan, Colorado in April

Redheads Slippin' & Slidin'

Redheads, Aythya americana, fly like highly coordinated rockets. These were photographed in April, 2008 over a Western Sugar Refinery settling pond just outside Fort Morgan, Colorado. They use their feet as both rudders and speed brakes.

REDHEADS IN A CHILLY POND

This bunch was loafing on the most easterly of the ponds in Fort Morgan's Canfield Arboretum.

CROSSING THE SUGAR BEET LAGOON

Early arrivals coursing over one of the settling ponds north of the Western Sugar refinery in Fort Morgan.

SPRINGTIME DRAKE IN A MARSH

Redheads nest in the weedy ponds presently owned by John Andrick just to the southwest of Jackson Lake. This drake cruised back and forth on a tiny patch of open water and obviously had a ladyfriend nearby.

MAMA REDHEAD LEADS HER BROOD OUT OF HARM'S WAY

Redheads nest near small ponds SW of Jackson Lake and at Brush Prairie Ponds State Wildlife Area in Morgan County, CO.

Redheads on the jump

Redheads like these regularly nest in Morgan County on Brush Prairie Ponds State Wildlife Area and Andrick State Wildlife Area. Note how the divers, with their legs positioned so far back, have to run along the water to take off.