I learned right here at the Mississippi River a long time ago that good wildlife photo opportunities often come up if you are brave enough to take the camera and telephoto lens into the kayak during a paddle trip. Yes, it is always challenging holding the heavy gear by hand in a boat and not without danger, but shooting most of the time on eye level with a bird or critter is just great photography fun.
Ducks are not always cooperative and quite often take off before they are even in the range of the lens. These young Ring-necked Ducks were very much aware of us while we drifted silently towards them, but nevertheless stayed in their spot even in relatively short distance.