These two Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks looks like they are in a field but this is actually a grass-choked pond / swamp so they were walking on a spongy surface.
They were alert to my presence and another nearby pair ducked down into the grass out of my sight.
These two kept bobbing up and down.
And kept an eye on the sky.
These two Wood Ducks were sunning on the end of an Alligator platform until I passed by.
Actually, there had been three; one had dropped into the water as I rounded the bend.
The other two seemed to be communicating…
… stay, or go?
The female made up her mind and jumped feet first into the pond.
The male made a showier exit…
and a delicate splash down.
A Wood Duck couple swam through the duck weed in a vegetation choked pond. This pair didn’t have any chicks in sight, perhaps a failed nest or their young have already succumbed to one of the many challenges nature presents.
Alligator ramps around the pond provide a fairly safe and dry spot for the Wood Duck ducklings to dry off and preen.
The Yellow-bellied Slider seemed oblivious to their occupation of his sunny spot.
Mama Wood Duck stayed in the water, patrolling for safety. Other times I have observed this there has been a Wood Duck drake nearby, also on alert, but I did not see one this time.
This family was up against the edge of the pond and I didn’t see them until mom had them underway.
I was hoping they would swim into a patch of sunshine.
They preferred a path through the shade.
That’s far enough!
Something overhead startled this flock of ducks into the air.
Camera at the ready, I waited for them to fly closer to me, but they headed towards the back of the pond.
They circled around a few times, settled back into the water, then did it all over again.
With at least one Eagle in the area these ducks weren’t interested in being lunch.
February 10, 2020
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area
Blue-winged Teals often eat in circles, almost like a choreographed dance of vacuum cleaners. There was plenty of duckweed to go around on this day and the wind was keeping it concentrated in one side of the pond, keeping the ducks near the walking path.
The duck’s movements leaves trails in the duckweed, indistinguishable from a path made by an underwater Alligator.
These three female Teals stayed in a row for quite awhile, perhaps because there is safety in numbers.
When the light hits them just right the iridescence on the males’ heads is quite pretty.
A few Gadwalls have been hanging out at Ravenswood Pond for the winter. They have been pretty quick to move to the middle or far side of the pond if they sense any human activity. On this day this small group took their time passing by me.
They will be heading out soon on their spring migration.
This scene is looking the length of this rectangular, man-made pond. The “skinny tree” I sometimes mention is hosting a Great Blue Heron and can be made out on the right.
There is duck weed all around the pond and some other bright green pond vegetation has thrived on the right-hand side.
Coming straight at me, this trio of Blue-winged Teals looked like they were on a mission.
Of course they turned, providing a more classic view, which was quickly followed by a view of their tail ends.
They didn’t go far and swung around to catch the morning sun.
The pair stuck pretty close together, paralleling the shore line.
Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
January 6, 2020
