This pair of Northern Shovelers was sticking together as they worked the pond in the early morning light. They were one of only a few water birds in the area that was patrolled by at least two pairs of Bald Eagles making them easy targets.
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida, 2/21/2018.
Well, what else do they have to do? When they aren’t eating ducks often swim around, and perhaps the female was testing to see if the male would follow. He did.
This Wood Duck pair went back and forth in front of me several times, never quite making it into the sun patch closer to me before they disappeared with the Teals around the corner.
The Hooded Mergansers tend to be shy and I usually see them retreating shortly after I spot them. I happened to be sitting on a low wall watching a pond when these two swam by me, close enough to get a shot.
The brown reeds and grasses of late winter made a golden glow on the water, a nice complement to these gorgeous ducks. The male is certainly flashier, especially when he has his hood up, but the female is an understated beauty.
2/5/2018
This pair of Blue-winged Teals was flying low over a pond, parallel to the road where I was standing, giving me a nice view.
This Northern Pintail pair was higher off the ground but headed in the same direction just a few minutes later.
Northern Pintail Pair in Flight
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida.
Three Ring-necked Ducks were paddling along an impoundment at Vierra Wetlands in the late afternoon. Yes, the ring is hard to see. A quick read at Cornell’s All About Birds reveals that the name was provided by 19th century biologists who were examining dead specimens so had a different view of the chestnut collar than those of us observing the bird in the field.
“Golden Eye” would have fit for a name, but might already have been spoken for at the time. Or a name that described the white outlined beak. No matter the name he is quite a pretty bird.
The male duck was accompanied by a female and a juvenile that didn’t venture far from each other.
Vierra Wetlands, Brevard County, Florida, 1/27/2018
There are small numbers of Teals, mostly Blue-winged, at the pond and there is plenty of duck weed to keep them fed. This pair decided to try the other end of the pond and took a low flight to get there.
Blue-winged TealsThe white line on the far shoreline is ice, the final remnant of our snow storm and cold snap.
1/10/2018
There is no mistaking the shape of a male Wood Duck and it’s always a treat to see them close enough to see their colors.
This pair was hanging around with a small group of Blue Winged Teals, paddling around the edge of a small pond.
There is a walking trail that loops along both sides of this pond and the ducks gradually work their way from side to side, not in any great hurry, but changing direction as people pass by.
Click on any photo for larger view.
I didn’t expect to see a male Wood Duck in breeding plumage in September. This fellow was paddling back and forth in a small pond, looking around.
There we were enjoying the view of Spoonbills, Egrets and Herons and then the sky exploded with a flock of Blue-winged Teals. I didn’t even know what they were at first and was surprised to see the flock move like a unit once they got above the tree line.
Some of the wading birds joined in – click photos for larger view. Regrettably, we couldn’t get closer to where they landed for a view of them in the water.
10/01/2017
The Wood Ducks were just hanging around in a quiet group until the incoming Great Blue Heron startled them into action.
The male Wood Duck was the first to go, quietly with just his wing flapping making noise.
The lower end of the ramp cleared.
The female Wood Duck at the highest point seemed like she was going to stay, but then thought better of it.
The turtle was less motivated and held his ground.
Click on any photo for larger view.
