Today, in an effort to see if anyone can identify a mystery duck, I'm linking up with Eileen's
Saturday Critters!
As mentioned in my last post, I was down at our local marsh on Wednesday and was taking photos of the local troops of birds. There were
a lot of mallard ducks, the turkeys are back, along with the Canada Geese. There were even three deer bounding back and forth across the path. But when I saw this unusual, yet quite pretty duck, I was stumped! Anyone have an idea of it's name? I checked a few online birding sites, but can't find him. I only saw one, and assume it's the male with his bright colouring.
As you can see, he's a bit bigger than the mallard, and here he is out of the water. I assume he's a "dabbler" since he was in with the mallards. Doesn't he have lovely markings?
Other birds I saw that day ... I love the friendly little chickadee and really enjoy taking photos of this cheeky little guy ...
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| Post marker for "Chickadee Trail" ;) |
Even though I didn't have any birdseed with me (I know, everyone at this trail brings a bag!), the chickadees were curious (or hungry) enough to come to my hand. They would land, have a look around, but seeing nothing ... off they flew!
The turkeys seemed to disappear over the summer months, but yesterday I noticed they're back again and looking for that free handout. Last year they made me quite nervous when I first saw them running towards me on the path, but they were only looking for handouts, and weren't nasty at all. But those beaks are very sharp looking!
Such beautiful markings especially when the sun hits them just so.
And the three deer, first back in the woods keeping an eye on me, and then braving the dash across the path and back to thicker brush and safety.
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| One ... |
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| ... two ... |
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| ... three! |
You can see the entourage that follows us around the beginning of the path!
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| Nuthatch |
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| female Mallard duck |
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| female Mallard duck |
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| male Mallard duck |
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| Cormorant |
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| pigeons or doves? in the parking lot |
Thanks for stopping by today!
Wendy
Hi Wendy, what a wonderful variety of ducks and bird images. I love the cute chickadee on your hand. I googled hybrid Mallard images and was surprised at all the images that appear. I especially love the shot of the little one following the turkey. Great post, I hope someone can help with the duck id.
ReplyDeleteThank you for linking up and sharing your post. Have a happy weekend!
The Chickadees are so sweet, the turkeys are interesting, but not sweet.
ReplyDeleteThe chickadee is so sweet & that's a lovely shot of the bird on your hand xx
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photographs !!
ReplyDeleteYou definitely do better with bird pictures than me!!!!! They are all fabulous aren't they! xx
ReplyDeleteThose Chickadees must be really used to being fed!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great place to visit and wow they have learnt that humans can be kind. Great shot of them on your hand
ReplyDeleteLovely shots! Usually when someone says "mystery duck" I go with Muscovy, but that one doesn't have any flesh on its upper bill.
ReplyDeleteI wish my feeder birds were that tame!
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I hope you figure out the mystery duck - he's very striking! But then, I think mallards are almost unbelievably beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHello Wendy,
ReplyDeleteWow I really enjoyed looking at the birds, turkeys and ducks and pretty leaves that have fallen from the trees. Thanks for sharing these photos. Wishing you a wonderful week.
Julie xo
I am learning so much about birds from your posts. The mystery duck does have beautiful markings, and colours too! The entourage photo made me smile :)
ReplyDelete-Soma
Wendy, what a lovely post full of critters. The duck is beautiful, isn't he. And so are the chickadees, little cuties, and that is a brilliant catch of a squirrel. I am always chasing them for a photo when in Canada, and rarely succeed :)
ReplyDeletewow what a lot of lovelies !! fancy those birds coming to your hands...how nice ! and the turkeys are amazing...we don't have them ...as for the mystery duck I thought it was a mallard at first but ???
ReplyDeleteGail x
Your marsh is a wonderland of wildlife Wendy. Your photos are great! I especially loved the chickadees in you hand and the one above the sign with a chickadee. No idea about your mystery duck though.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos, Wendy - such a variety of wildlife there! How sweet that the chickadees were so friendly - and all the ducks and turkeys, too. I'm guessing that mystery duck is a cross-bred. He sure is pretty! x K
ReplyDeleteWendy, Thanks for coming to visit me at A Sentimental Life. I am so glad you enjoyed your visit and sent those candlesticks to your brother. I am always trying to connect with people that way. Your pictures of all the ducks are just beautiful. love seeing the turkeys, we have some that show up just before sunset on the road I come home from work on. I always get excited to see them if i time it right.
ReplyDelete