Since we have still been having a generous amount of rain, the ice pond is still nice and full. Something happened almost right away when it filled up this time. I don't know WHERE they came from, but an entire flock of Wood Ducks flew in one morning. I mean a FLOCK. There were at least thirty of them! I have never seen a wood duck here in the valley my entire life. I was stunned. They are such a beautiful bird.
Well, you know me, I wanted to get some pictures right away, so I snuck [or so I thought] out to the edge of the pond to get some photos. Well, the whole flock took off like they were shot from a cannon. I was so bummed! But after a while, they all came back, but by then it was raining pretty hard, so I had to content myself to look at them with my binoculars. Over the next few days I tried a few more times to be as stealthy as I could to get some pictures, but they were having none of it. I've never seen creature more likely to bolt! So I decided to go over to the other side of the pond and set up the trail cam by an area where they would come out on land for a while and waddle around.
When they were gone one afternoon I waded through the creeks that are feeding the pond and set up the camera. I left it over there for two days and nights. Alas. The main flock never came back, only a few pairs would show up and hang out for a while, then leave.
This is the only picture I could get from my living room window I'm sorry to say.
It's very disappointing.
This is what they look like when a good photographer gets a chance:
Wow.
I got to LOOK at them... thank goodness, and watch them goofing around in the pond, chasing each other, bathing, flapping their wings and showing their white breast feathers, and waddling up onto the far bank. Some of them went up pretty far on the bank. I found out they were the 'lookouts' they were the first ones to take flight when they saw any movement and the whole flock went along, no questions asked.
The only photo I got on the trail cam was a fox in the middle of the night.
I'm sure he would have loved to see a Wood Duck too.... up close and personal... invite him for a meal. But I think those ducks are too wiley for this fox.
So, we really are adhering to our motto around here these last many days ⬇️
