Waterfowl in general are difficult to approach and photograph in South Dakota. Given all the hunting pressure here, that's understandable. Nearly all of my best waterfowl photos were taken from some form of blind, and that's no exception for the Northern Pintail. There's a wonderful permanent blind at Dewey Gevik Nature Area, a small building set out into the wetland a little ways. When you first walk out on the short little causeway to the blind, of course all the birds scatter. But given the blind is a permanent feature, the birds are used to it, and after a while, the birds start trickling back, forgetting you are inside.
All photos are copyrighted by Terry L. Sohl. Contact me for print options or questions about photo use.
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