Ducks!

Ducks!

I am a dryland girl. When I was growing up, there wasn’t enough open water around to entice any sort of waterfowl to land. So I never bothered to pay attention to ducks when I *did* see them.

But now I’m going down the the Creek frequently — it lets me relax to see the critters down there. And what is down there (and obvious) are ducks! So I’m beginning to learn them.

So far, I’ve seen the ever present Mallards (I was trying to catch that moment when his head looks indigo blue instead of green) …

Male Mallard duck walking in the water up a creek west of Denver, Colorado. The lower half of the Mallard's head is the expected green, but the top of his head is reflecting indigo blue.

… Hooded Mergansers …

Tan female hooded merganser and stunning black, white and russet male merganser float along a creek west of Denver, Colorado.

… Ring-necked Ducks …

Ring-necked ducks have black heads and backs with white sides. Although their grey bills have a white strip, then a black tip, the russet ring around it's neck is not visible. It is paddling along a creek west of Denver, Colorado.

… and now Northern Shovelers!

Male Northern Shoveler ducks have green-black heads, looong black bills, and black backs, with a white chest and russet sides. This male has his bill dipped in the water as he paddles up a creek west of Denver, Colorado.

Yay me!

And for those who are counting down along with me, Mama Owl is still on her nest. I found out that she started sitting on the nest January 26, so that means she’s about half way through her brooding phase.

Just the corner of the head of Mama Great Horned Owl is visible as she sits on the nest in a tree bare of leaves.

Amy Law

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2 responses to “Ducks!”

  1. Tails Around the Ranch Avatar
    Tails Around the Ranch

    Ugh, WordPress is conspiring. After typing a long comments, it says it couldn’t post. Grrrr. Yours is not the only WP account where that message pops up. I must remember to copy ,my comment so I don’t have to type it all over multiple times. All the changes WP has implemented have been doggone irritating. Anyway…what I was going to say, fabulous waterfowl images. I love watching ducks and other birds around water. Coupled with the soothing sounds of the water, it’s a relaxing moment in an otherwise hectic world. Have a great weekend-stay warm.

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  2. Amy Law Avatar
    Amy Law

    See, it’s not letting me “like” your comment. But I do anyway!

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