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| On the left, a male black duck. On the right, a female mallard. |
I photographed some of their courtship postures last time. Today I took a few shots of copulation, which is brief and happens in the water. They ended their courtship displays with mutual head-pumping. Then she extended her head and got low and flat in the water.
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| The male stepped onto the female's back. If you click on the photo to enlarge it, you can see her head below the surface. |
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| Grabbing her neck or feathers helps him keep his balance. |
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| He maneuvered his tail under hers to make genital contact. Above water we see a single thrust. |
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| It was over in moments. He stepped off. She floated up. |
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| She enjoyed some post-copulatory splashing. |
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| Ta Da! |
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