May 25, 2009 Wood Ducks
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Wood Duck Reflections 1
I always look forward to the spring duck migration. One of my favorite is the wood duck. It must be one of the most beautiful of God’s creations. The green and purple iridescent head and crest with its metallic sheen is so colorful. I don’t know of any wildlife species that can match it in beauty.
Wood Ducks 1
We have around twenty wood ducks frequenting our pond this spring. Karla and I were watching them over the weekend. I set up the blind by the pond but wood ducks are so wary that they would not let me get close to them unless I could get into the blind undetected. They spend the night elsewhere and fly into the pond in the early morning.
Wood Ducks 2
I thought five o’clock would be early enough but they arrived before me and I spooked them getting to the blind. The next morning I knew I would have to be earlier. Karla suggested that I sleep in the blind. I thought about that but the spring peepers are so loud that I knew I wouldn’t get much sleep. Karla, Adam and I walked down to the pond after dark and the sound actually hurt your ears. The sounds coming from the spring peeper’s exceptionally large vocal sacs are deafening. You could feel the vibrations in your ears. It is hard to believe the sound comes from a thumb-nail size chorus frog.
Wood Duck Pair
Sunday I got into the blind at 4:00 a.m. and the wood ducks flew in at 4:15. I waited until around 7:00 before there was enough light to take the photos. I was not without entertainment though. The wood ducks chased each other, flapped their wings and were constantly on the move. A muskrat chased one wood duck around the pond twice. The wood duck swam faster so it stayed about two feet ahead of the muskrat the whole time.
Wood Duck Reflections 2
When the sun came over the horizon the wood ducks vibrant colors came to life. The calm water created reflections that made getting up that early worth the effort.
