Subtly colored, fast-flying, and very graceful, northern pintails can be found across most of North America.   These wintering males (plus a couple of females; e.g., immediately below, left) were at Newport Back Bay reserve and Bolsa Chica wetlands, both in southern California.   The males and female at the bottom of the page were at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico.   One bird (bottom) has a mussel clamped to its foot.

• Canon 1D Mk. II, 1D3, or 1D4; 500 mm IS lens plus 1.4X converter or 800 mm IS lens (2006, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2012)