This female Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) was resting in a local lagoon, both eyes closed. Bird portraits are most often about the eye, capturing the spirit and soulfulness of the bird through the catch light and gaze.
With sleeping ducks, I feel peace when I see both eyes closed, when they peek only occasionally to make sure all is right in their world, then return to full slumber. Birds can sleep with a single eye open while the other half of their brain rests. But they peek more often when we humans or other dangers are nearby.
So here, I just relished the simplicity of a sleeping duck, left to her own dreams and unconscious impressions, evolving upon her own canvas of marble and light.
[My wildlife ethics:
www.ingridtaylar.com/ethics/]
