05/04/2024
2024 DU Member Photo Contest presented by Drake Waterfowl Systems | Overall Category Winner
Craig Machholz was just a youngster when he began hunting with his father. That’s where his passion for waterfowl began, and he says those early experiences contribute to his enthusiasm for photographing ducks and geese today.
“My dad passed along all of his outdoor experience when we moved to northeastern Iowa and started hunting Sweet Marsh,” he says. “The smell of that old two-stroke engine and hot coffee as we headed out before light will forever be etched in my memory. I can still see the silhouettes of those predawn ducks landing in the decoys and still hear my dad saying ‘keep your head down’ as he hit the chuckle when the birds were really working. It was those early days that have led me on this path to becoming a waterfowl photographer.”
Machholz says he travels thousands of miles throughout the Midwest every year, chasing the migration with his camera. He’s not afraid to haul his gear into the marsh in search of a perfect image, and his winning photo proves that.
“This shot was taken on Devils Lake in North Dakota last spring. The full-plumage birds were thick, and the drake blue-winged teal were chasing hens like crazy,” he says. “This guy came sliding into the frame, and I knew I had something special. The light was amazing that afternoon, and I felt so lucky to capture this drake that was showing off his colorful spring plumage in great detail. This is the true trophy I now passionately hunt for. It hangs in my office, and I will carry the memory of that day for a lifetime.”
Sitting in a blind or boat in a marsh by himself or with his retriever is Machholz’s “happy place.” It’s where he admits to finding his peace. “You know, it is really a culmination of my love for the outdoors and waterfowl specifically. I do have to give my dad a ton of credit for my love of waterfowl,” he says. “I get a lot of enjoyment out of hitting the shutter rather than the trigger. I’m really honored to win the DU magazine contest. Really honored.”
Equipment: Canon R3 600mm F4 Prime lens
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Photo: Craig Machholz
