I noticed the usual pair of Canada Geese on the pond, this morning. Unusually, I also saw a pair of Mallard ducks swimming around. They stop by, swim around for awhile, then deport. Almost always, it's 2 or 3 males. We used to joke that "this must be the bachelor pond.
A little later, I noticed movement in the cattails at the eastern-end. After a few minutes watching, I realized I was seeing a pair of Wood ducks. This is really unusual. I think it only the 3rd time I've seen Wood ducks on our pond. It's also unusual, in the number of species peacefully sharing the water. A few days ago I watched a pair of Canada geese drive off a pair of arriving Canadas. Apparently, they aren't so jealous of ducks.
When we moved here, I intended to construct at least 1 duck-sized nesting box. I abandoned the idea because there were never any ducks, and I learned that ducks prefer marshes to ponds. (Both these species are bottom-feeders. If the bottom's 14ft down, lunch is hard work!) Nicole & I think the water's higher in the pond this year. That would flood areas that used to be shore, and provide navigable waters (if you're a duck) into the swamp adjacent to the pond. So, this year at least, we seem to have duck habitat. I may need to build a nesting box, after all. (I probably won't. I think it's too late in the year, already. I check though.)
Anyway, this is the best of the 4 photos I took. There are actually 3 ducks in the image. Male Wood, male Mallard, and a female (not sure which one). The geese are cruising just out of the frame.
A little later, I noticed movement in the cattails at the eastern-end. After a few minutes watching, I realized I was seeing a pair of Wood ducks. This is really unusual. I think it only the 3rd time I've seen Wood ducks on our pond. It's also unusual, in the number of species peacefully sharing the water. A few days ago I watched a pair of Canada geese drive off a pair of arriving Canadas. Apparently, they aren't so jealous of ducks.
When we moved here, I intended to construct at least 1 duck-sized nesting box. I abandoned the idea because there were never any ducks, and I learned that ducks prefer marshes to ponds. (Both these species are bottom-feeders. If the bottom's 14ft down, lunch is hard work!) Nicole & I think the water's higher in the pond this year. That would flood areas that used to be shore, and provide navigable waters (if you're a duck) into the swamp adjacent to the pond. So, this year at least, we seem to have duck habitat. I may need to build a nesting box, after all. (I probably won't. I think it's too late in the year, already. I check though.)
Anyway, this is the best of the 4 photos I took. There are actually 3 ducks in the image. Male Wood, male Mallard, and a female (not sure which one). The geese are cruising just out of the frame.
