Gadwalls in flight
Images copyright by Mark A. Chappell
Although they are not as colorful as many male ducks, I've always found gadwalls very attractive, in a subtle way. They have intricate markings, with many fine alternating dark and light lines along the breast and sides, black and white wing patches, and a graceful overall shape. These gadwalls were flying around the Bolsa Chica wetlands in coastal Orange County, California, on a spring day. Males (as showng in most of these images) were busily courting, pursuing (above right), or defending females from rival males.
Pictures of sitting gadwalls are on this page.
