Wood Duck Strut
March 28th, 2009
Took a few friends out to Mud Lake today, and had a great time.
The wetland was still somewhat asleep, though with a growing patch of open water around the bridge and another near Cassels Road, and muskrats and beavers therein. Mallards, Black Ducks and Canada Geese were around. I told my companions about the beautiful Wood Ducks who breed on the pond, but that they hadn't migrated back yet.
Well, I spoke too soon. When I came back there later on my own, several pairs of Wood Ducks had arrived! They were skittish at first, but grew accustomed to my presence as I waited, and finally, one of the male/female pairs hopped up onto the hand railing to survey the area.
And then that male? Strutted it. Upright, crest poofed out, mating calls, the whole bit, as m'lady looked on adoringly. I'd complain that they weren't in a more natural setting when I shot this, but I think that would count as looking a gift bird in the mouth.
Here's another shot. The slicked-back appearance of the male's crest here is typical. (I had never before seen it poofed out the way it was in the previous picture.)
When a male Wood Duck is on the water, his whitish belly doesn't show. Only the "painted" parts show. He's as perfect as a faberge egg.
March 28th, 2009
Took a few friends out to Mud Lake today, and had a great time.
The wetland was still somewhat asleep, though with a growing patch of open water around the bridge and another near Cassels Road, and muskrats and beavers therein. Mallards, Black Ducks and Canada Geese were around. I told my companions about the beautiful Wood Ducks who breed on the pond, but that they hadn't migrated back yet.
Well, I spoke too soon. When I came back there later on my own, several pairs of Wood Ducks had arrived! They were skittish at first, but grew accustomed to my presence as I waited, and finally, one of the male/female pairs hopped up onto the hand railing to survey the area.
And then that male? Strutted it. Upright, crest poofed out, mating calls, the whole bit, as m'lady looked on adoringly. I'd complain that they weren't in a more natural setting when I shot this, but I think that would count as looking a gift bird in the mouth.
Here's another shot. The slicked-back appearance of the male's crest here is typical. (I had never before seen it poofed out the way it was in the previous picture.)
When a male Wood Duck is on the water, his whitish belly doesn't show. Only the "painted" parts show. He's as perfect as a faberge egg.
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