Ducks on a cold Canadian morning.

Yesterday it was -28°C (-38°C with the wind chill factor), a good occasion to go to the St-Louis river in Beauharnois to photograph the Mallard Ducks that stays there all winter. At these temperatures it’s important to be well dressed if you want to stay warm and keep shooting, especially your hands, i did put hand warmers in my mitts to keep my fingers warm.

First, here is some photos of the river to show you the habitat:

Here is a photo taken at the base of the waterfall, down the river there is less ice and the Ducks have access to open waters and foods. Taken with my Canon 7D and 10-18mm STM at 12mm.

Taken with my Canon 7D and 10-18mm STM at 11mm.

Since it was very cold, there was a thick layer of fog over the river and it was difficult to get accurate focus on the Ducks.

Canon 7D with my 70-200mm/4 L.

Canon 7D with my 400mm/5.6 L.

This Male is trying to stay warm in the water. Canon 7D with 400mm/5.6 L.

Time to eat to get some fuel to stay warm, it’s tail was covered with ice. Canon 7D with 400mm/5.6L

I also found Cedar leaves in the snow in the forested area along the river, so I took close-up shots.

Canon 7D with my 24mm STM.

Pentax K50 with DA 40mm XS