Photographing Water Birds at Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve

I have made several trips to Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve in the city of Santee, east of San Diego, to photograph the birds there. In the winter there are many different waterfowl, the most appealing (to me) being the various species of ducks. Some are surprisingly tame for their species, such as the cinnamon teal, while others like the Northern shoveler remain as aloof as they are in other places. This string of lakes is a surprisingly nice sanctuary in a suburban area, great for fishing with the kids, walking the dog, picnicking or, obviously, photographing birds. These are some of my favorites recently. Cheers, and thanks for looking!

Canada Geese in flight, Branta canadensis, Santee Lakes, Branta canadensis

Canada Geese in flight, Branta canadensis, Santee Lakes.
Image ID: 41481
Species: Canada goose, Branta canadensis
Location: Santee Lakes, California

Mallard in flight, Anas platyrhynchos, Santee Lakes, Anas platyrhynchos

Mallard in flight, Anas platyrhynchos, Santee Lakes.
Image ID: 41488
Species: Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos
Location: Santee Lakes, California

Ring-necked duck, male, Aythya collaris, Santee Lakes, Aythya collaris

Ring-necked duck, male, Aythya collaris, Santee Lakes.
Image ID: 41497
Species: Ring-necked duck, Aythya collaris
Location: Santee Lakes, California

Cinnamon Teal in flight, Anas cyanoptera, Santee Lakes

Cinnamon Teal in flight.
Image ID: 41459
Species: Cinnamon teal, Anas cyanoptera
Location: Santee Lakes, California

Cinnamon teal, Anas cyanoptera, Anas cyanoptera, Santee Lakes

Cinnamon teal, Anas cyanoptera.
Image ID: 41455
Species: Cinnamon teal, Anas cyanoptera
Location: Santee Lakes, California

Cinnamon teal, Anas cyanoptera.
Image ID: 41456
Species: Cinnamon teal, Anas cyanoptera
Location: Santee Lakes, California

Hooded Merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus, Lophodytes cucullatus, Santee Lakes

Hooded Merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus.
Image ID: 41445
Species: Hooded Merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus
Location: Santee Lakes, California

Northern pintail, Anas acuta, Santee Lakes.
Image ID: 41482
Location: Santee Lakes, California

Cinnamon Teal, Anas cyanoptera, Santee Lakes, Anas cyanoptera

Cinnamon Teal, Anas cyanoptera, Santee Lakes.
Image ID: 41483
Species: Cinnamon teal, Anas cyanoptera
Location: Santee Lakes, California

Ring-necked duck, male, Aythya collaris, Santee Lakes.
Image ID: 41485
Species: Ring-necked duck, Aythya collaris
Location: Santee Lakes, California

Cinnamon Teal, Anas cyanoptera, Santee Lakes.
Image ID: 41486
Species: Cinnamon teal, Anas cyanoptera
Location: Santee Lakes, California

Double-crested cormorant in flight, Phalacrocorax auritus, Santee Lakes.
Image ID: 41489
Location: Santee Lakes, California

Cinnamon Teal, Anas cyanoptera, Santee Lakes.
Image ID: 41490
Species: Cinnamon teal, Anas cyanoptera
Location: Santee Lakes, California

Mallard in flight, female, Anas platyrhynchos, Santee Lakes, Anas platyrhynchos

Mallard in flight, female, Anas platyrhynchos, Santee Lakes.
Image ID: 41492
Species: Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos
Location: Santee Lakes, California

Ring-necked duck, male, Aythya collaris, Santee Lakes.
Image ID: 41494
Species: Ring-necked duck, Aythya collaris
Location: Santee Lakes, California

Mallard wing flap showing speculum, iridescent blue with white edges, Anas platyrhynchos, Santee Lakes, Anas platyrhynchos

Mallard wing flap showing speculum, iridescent blue with white edges, Anas platyrhynchos, Santee Lakes.
Image ID: 41495
Species: Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos
Location: Santee Lakes, California