The three Mottled Ducks splashed a bit then took off.
What I took to be the female flew off to the right, while the two males looked headed for a crash with the Spoonbill.
The Spoonbill ducked his head…
as the dueling pair came in for a landing, squabbling for a moment, before they went their separate ways.
Mottled Duck Pair Landing, Part 1
Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, Florida
February 10 2025
After watching the Mottled Duck pair land I was surprised to see there was a third duck approaching.
I didn’t hear him land so am not sure where he came from.
He quickly paddled over to the pair where he was not welcomed.
The situation got tense!
Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, Florida
February 10 2025
I was watching this Roseate Spoonbill, hoping he’d come a bit closer, when a pair of Mottled Ducks dropped into the scene.
Not quite a crash landing, but not that graceful, either.
The Spoonbill and a Gallinule went about their business.
Compared to their size, these ducks make a pretty big splash.
The pair quickly settled and paddled across the pond.
Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, Florida
February 10 2025
A Blue-winged Teal and his reflection.
Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island, FL
February 10, 2025
There have been a few small groups of Hooded Mergansers around the various ponds at Magnolia Plantation over the last month. Two or three birds, hardly enough to call a flock, and always on the far side of whichever pond I saw them. Until last week.
Two days I caught a fast exit when the group got startled in almost the same spot. The second time I captured them lower to the ground, with a nicer background.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
January 17 and 19, 2025
One of the few ducks I’ve seen this summer…
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
July 28, 2024
A female Wood Duck and six juveniles were sunning on an alligator ramp in one of the small ponds at Magnolia Plantation that is completely covered in duck weed.
No longer looking like ducklings, if seen individually without the mother with them I might have thought they were full adults.
They grow up fast!
The adult stayed on alert as I passed by, but the youngsters settled in for a rest.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
June 5, 2024
While the Wood Duck family was gathering together this one intrepid duckling struck out on his own. Mama was watchful but she didn’t try to interfere.
Junior didn’t have a care in the world about what might be lurking under the duck weed. I first thought there was an alligator at the bottom of this photo, but it turned out to be a stick.
Might as well test out the wings a bit…
…then right back to the group.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
May 12, 2024
Several families of Wood Ducks are around the ponds at Audubon Swamp at Magnolia. I’ve mostly seen them paddling in the duck weed but late Sunday afternoon they gathered for a break on a mound of mud and vegetation.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
May 12, 2024
At the far end of the pond where the Black Skimmers were Skimming a few Mottled Ducks were waddling around.
They were surrounded by a variety of shore birds that were taking advantage of the low water.
Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
April 3, 2024
