These ramps are installed in ponds for Alligators to lounge where the tourists can see them but not be too close. The birds like a dry spot, too.
August 23, 2021
Snowy Egret and Wood Duck Pals
Tag Archives: Duck
Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks
This has been a summer for Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, with this sighting at the Magnolia Cemetery pond.
They are another bird that is expanding its range northward and I’ve only seen them in this area the last two or three years.
This pair alternated their time between sitting in the trees and sitting in the water on a very hot SC day.
Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, SC
August 2, 2021
Young Wood Ducks
A pair of young Wood Ducks graced a small clump of reeds in the middle of the pond.
I didn’t see the one closer to me until it started swimming away, showing just a flash of blue.
The Boat Pond, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
July 23, 2021
Wood Ducks On Parade
The same day I saw the Wood Duck Ducklings I spotted three larger groups of older ducks in a nearby pond.
I suspect they are mostly this year’s hatchlings from earlier broods.
The one group that was closer to shore when I passed was quick to head towards the others.
The Boat Pond, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
July 23, 2021
Make Way – Wood Duck Ducklings
- I was quite surprised to spot young ducklings last week at Ravenswood Pond, thinking the season was past. I continued on my walk not expecting to see them again as they tend to make a beeline for the other side of the pond.
But, when I passed back by the ducklings were up near the shore. They quickly headed back out into the pond.
Which way?
They regrouped and stayed together for as long as I could spot them.
The mother didn’t show any concern.
For context, here is a pulled back view. Those ducklings are out there somewhere, tucked under the vegetation somewhere between mama and the juvenile Little Blue Heron.
Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks at Pond Edge
This is the opposite end of the pond where I photographed the Sunning Juvenile Alligators on Sunday. When the pond is filled this area is all under water.
Several Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks duos were in view and working the pond edge, along with some juvenile Gallinules.
This pair was was off by themselves.
Evidently they had no where to be and plopped down.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
July 25, 2021
Mallard Drake, Floating Along
I can’t resist taking images of Mallards, especially when a reflection might be involved.
This one didn’t have much to do, he slowly drifted from the shade of an overhanging tree out into the sunshine.
Wood Duck Ducklings
It was late afternoon and the light bad on pond of duck weed but I could not resist the Wood Duck family.
I counted 20 ducklings, although with all their scrambling around it’s hard to be sure.
The ducklings followed momma without hesitation as I’m sure she was looking for a safe place for the night.
Male Hooded Mergansers, Then There Were Three
I was momentarily distracted by the Canada Goose With A Treasure while watching the two Hooded Merganser drakes show off. When I reverted my attention to the ducks I saw that a few more females and another male had joined the party.
The three drakes performed tight circle maneuvers…
… that ended with a spirited chase.
The females lost interest and pretty soon they all casually swam to the other side of the pond, out of my view.
Male Hooded Merganser Duo Showing Off, Female Interest
Continued from Male Hooded Merganser Duo Showing Off
The second female toward the back got a little fancier with her tail action and the first one fluffed her crown up, showing a bit more interest.
The male-male competition got a little heated.
Then the female flattened herself, keeping her head under water for a bit, presumably to express interest in the males’ dance. I’d not seen this behavior before, and at one point wondered how long she could stay submerged.
They circled around her several times while the second female moved on.
