Decoys Collection

A view of the Abbotsbury swannery
5307272 A view of the Abbotsbury swannery.; (add.info.: Engraving depicting a view of the Abbotsbury swannery, Dorset, tucked in behind the shelter of the west end of Chesil Bank)

Wild Duck Shooting on the Potomac, 1850. Creator: Unknown
Wild Duck Shooting on the Potomac, 1850. American invention for duck-shooting:..one device attracted my notice especially [and] succeeds admirably

Royal Navy Sea King Mk 4 Helicopter Firing Decoy Flares in Afghanistan
A Royal Navy Sea King Mk4 helicopter of the Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) fires decoy flares whilst on operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan

Merlin Helicopter Releasing Decoy Flares
As the sun goes down over the Indian Ocean, HMS Northumberlands Merlin helicopter sends more than 100 decoy flares cascading through the sky

Lynx Helicopter Firing Flares Over HMS Monmouth
HMS Monmouths Lynx Mk 8 helicopter creates a stunning backdrop of decoy flares during a test of her countermeasures systems in the Middle East

Lynx Helicopter
A Lynx helicopter from HMS Manchester, deploys her counter heat-seeking missile flares during an exercise at sea

On the Way to the Decoys (engraving)
1604450 On the Way to the Decoys (engraving) by Woodville, Richard Caton II (1856-1927) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: On the Way to the Decoys)

Duck-Shooting at Long Point Island, on Lake Erie (engraving)
1626151 Duck-Shooting at Long Point Island, on Lake Erie (engraving) by Whymper, Charles (1853-1941) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Duck-Shooting at Long Point Island, on Lake Erie)

Lynx Helicopter Defensive Aid Suite Test Firing
HMS Monmouths Lynx is pictured firing her Defensive Aids Suite (DAS) during an exercise. The DAS is designed to confuse heat seeking missiles by deploying decoys with a greater heat signature than

Clay Sutton with his duck decoys New Jersey USA May 2011

The House of Decoys, Mexico. Date: circa 1900s

Naval engagement off Heligoland by G. H. Davis
The smart naval engagement off Heligoland: the destruction of German light cruisers and torpedo boats, shown in a series of drawings made from sketches by an eye witness. 1

Great Bustard (Otis tarda) adult male, with wing tag, displaying beside decoys used to attract previous releases back to release site, released in reintroduction project, Wiltshire, England, March

American frontier life: the hunters stratagem. Date 1862. Published by Currier & Ives. American frontier life: the hunters stratagem. Date 1862. Published by Currier & Ives

They know the kind of decoys to use. Illustration shows two men labeled Political Boss and Public Service Corporation with shotguns

Pine tree communication mast
Communication mast designed to resemble a pine tree. Photographed near Shaftesbury in Dorset, UK

A Pair of Barrage Balloons
A Pair of RAF Barrage Balloons at Cardington, Bedfordshire

Duck shooting with decoys, hoping they will encourage other ducks to alight on the water and be slaughtered

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"Decoys: A World of Illusions and Protection" From the serene beauty of Long Point Island to the treacherous battlefields of Afghanistan, they have played a crucial role in various settings. Engravings like "On the Way to the Decoys" and "Duck-Shooting at Long Point Island, on Lake Erie" capture the essence of their usage. In times of conflict, even helicopters rely on decoy flares for defense. Witnessing a Royal Navy Sea King Mk 4 or a Merlin Helicopter releasing these flares in Afghanistan is both awe-inspiring and humbling. The Lynx Helicopter firing flares over HMS Monmouth showcases how these aerial warriors protect their vessels. Away from war zones, Mexico's House stands as a testament to artistry and tradition. Clay Sutton's duck decoys in New Jersey exemplify how hunters use them skillfully during their pursuits. But it's not just humans who benefit from decoy tactics; nature too finds its harmony with them. Great Bustards, such majestic creatures, are lured back by strategically placed wing-tagged males beside carefully crafted decoys. Whether it be naval engagements off Heligoland or defensive aid suite tests fired by Lynx Helicopters, one thing remains constant – decoys serve as an illusionary shield against danger. In this world where illusions meet reality, where protection takes many forms, we find ourselves captivated by the ingenuity behind each use of decoys. From ancient engravings capturing moments frozen in time to modern-day battles fought with advanced technology – let us appreciate the power that lies within these seemingly simple creations called 'decoys'.