I only recently discovered the Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Center. Mike and Ali Lubbock started this 8-acre conservation facility in 1989, and have accomplished an incredible amount in a few short years. Quoting from their Mission Statement:

"The Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Center is dedicated to the survival of the world’s waterfowl species, in both the wild and in zoological and private collections. In order to accomplish our mission, it is our goal to become the premier waterfowl conservation center, capable of evaluating and developing global conservation actions and to develop a network of institutions interested in cooperative research, education, and planning."

Several months ago I contacted them, and they were kind enough to allow me to visit in order to photograph some of the 161 species of waterfowl they house and breed at their facility in Scotland Neck, NC. They are not currently set up to accommodate the public, but they have major plans to change this. The North Carolina Zoo Society purchased 18 acres of woodland and cypress swamps in Feb. of 2004, and quoting again from their website:

"Part of the new land will be developed into a visitors’ area with a variety of exhibits showcasing waterfowl and other exotic birds. Plans include a two-story building that will serve as an education center and library, where numerous conservation-oriented programs will be presented. A portion of the land will be preserved as a nature sanctuary. Special feeding areas and lakes will be constructed to attract some of the thousands of migrating swans and geese that winter in the vicinity of Scotland Neck. "

Please take some time to visit their website, and if you're so inclined, make a contribution to help them achieve their goals.

Their enclosures are well-suited to raise and breed the unbelievable variety of waterfowl they have collected, but provide significant challenges for photography. I had to basically get into the enclosures with the the birds, taking care to avoid stressing them, and either crouched down or sat on a low stool to shoot. The backgrounds were also problematic. These conditions restricted me in terms of the variety and choice of basic composition, but hopefully the sheer beauty of the birds themselves will compensate for these limitations.

All Content © Donald L. Cohen, MD
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    images, along with all the others present in the various galleries,
    are available for purchase as prints up to 13"x19".
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Wood Duck
    Male (Genetic Variant)

    
Image # 1D2_00978

    
Sylvan Waterfowl Center

    
Scotland Neck, NC
 

    
Canon 100-400L IS at 400
    mm

    
ISO 400, f/16, 1/500 second

    
Evaluative Metering at
    -2/3

    
Monopod/ArcaSwiss B1/Wimerley
    Sidekick
 

As I first started strolling the grounds to decide where and what to shoot, I saw a number of these incredibly beautiful Wood Ducks. I had never seen any with this type of coloration, and it was thrilling photographing them.

     
 

    
African
    Pygmy-Goose

    
Image # 1D2_00984

    
Sylvan Waterfowl Center

    
Scotland Neck, NC
 

    
Canon 100-400L IS at 400
    mm

    
ISO 800, f/11, 1/1000 second

    
Evaluative Metering at
    -2/3, 550EX at -2

    
Monopod/ArcaSwiss B1/Wimerley
    Sidekick
 

Argentine Red Shoveler Image # 1D2_00960 Sylvan Waterfowl Center Scotland Neck, NC

Canon 100-400L IS at 400 mm ISO 800, f/11, 1/1000 second Evaluative Metering at -1/3 Monopod/ArcaSwiss B1/Wimerley Sidekick

     
 

    
Wood Duck
    Female (Genetic Variant)

    
Image # 1D2_00947

    
Sylvan Waterfowl Center

    
Scotland Neck, NC
 

    
Canon 100-400L IS at 370
    mm

    
ISO 800, f/11, 1/1600 second

    
Evaluative Metering at
    -2/3

    
Monopod/ArcaSwiss B1/Wimerley
    Sidekick
 

White-cheeked (Bahama) Pintail Image # 1D2_00952 Sylvan Waterfowl Center Scotland Neck, NC

Canon 100-400L IS at 260 mm ISO 800, f/11, 1/1600 second Evaluative Metering at -1 Monopod/ArcaSwiss B1/Wimerley Sidekick

Green Pygmy-Goose Image # 1D2_01034 Sylvan Waterfowl Center Scotland Neck, NC

Canon 100-400L IS at 400 mm ISO 400, f/11, 1/500 second Evaluative Metering at -2/3 Monopod/ArcaSwiss B1/Wimerley Sidekick

Canvasback Image # 1D2_01040 Sylvan Waterfowl Center Scotland Neck, NC

Canon 100-400L IS at 400 mm ISO 400, f/11, 1/320 second Evaluative Metering at -1/3 Monopod/ArcaSwiss B1/Wimerley Sidekick

As an Ophthalmologist, I'm naturally attracted to birds with beautiful eyes, and this one certainly captivated my attention.

American Wigeon Image # 1D2_00945 Sylvan Waterfowl Center Scotland Neck, NC

Canon 100-400L IS at 260 mm ISO 800, f/11, 1/1000 second Evaluative Metering at -2/3 Monopod/ArcaSwiss B1/Wimerley Sidekick

Chiloe Wigeon Image # 1D2_00964 Sylvan Waterfowl Center Scotland Neck, NC

Canon 100-400L IS at 400 mm ISO 800, f/11, 1/1250 second Evaluative Metering at -2/3 Monopod/ArcaSwiss B1/Wimerley Sidekick

Black-necked Swan Image # 1D2_01048 Sylvan Waterfowl Center Scotland Neck, NC

Canon 100-400L IS at 400 mm ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/800 second Evaluative Metering at -1/3 Monopod/ArcaSwiss B1/Wimerley Sidekick

Red-crested Pochard Image # 1D2_01047 Sylvan Waterfowl Center Scotland Neck, NC

Canon 100-400L IS at 400 mm ISO 400, f/11, 1/250 second Evaluative Metering at -1/3 Monopod/ArcaSwiss B1/Wimerley Sidekick

Bufflehead Image # 1D2_00949 Sylvan Waterfowl Center Scotland Neck, NC

Canon 100-400L at 275 mm ISO 800, f/11, 1/1000 second Evaluative Metering at -2/3 Monopod/ArcaSwiss B1/Wimberley Sidekick

Chestnut Teal Image # 1D2_01051 Sylvan Waterfowl Center Scotland Neck, NC

Canon 100-400L IS at 400 mm ISO 400, f/8, 1/400 second Evaluative Metering at -1/3 Monopod/ArcaSwiss B1/Wimerley Sidekick

Puna Teal Image # 1D2_01027 Sylvan Waterfowl Center Scotland Neck, NC

Canon 100-400L IS at 400 mm ISO 400, f/11, 1/400 second Evaluative Metering at -2/3 Monopod/ArcaSwiss B1/Wimerley Sidekick

White-headed Duck Image # 1D2_00996 Sylvan Waterfowl Center Scotland Neck, NC

Canon 100-400L IS at 350 mm ISO 800, f/5.6, 1/640 second Evaluative Metering at -2/3, 550EX at -2 Monopod/ArcaSwiss B1/Wimerley Sidekick

Red-breasted Goose Image # 1D2_01021 Sylvan Waterfowl Center Scotland Neck, NC

Canon 100-400L IS at 400 mm ISO 400, f/11, 1/500 second Evaluative Metering at -2/3 Monopod/ArcaSwiss B1/Wimerley Sidekick