Mating Season

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I remember how happy I was this time last year when the pair of mallards first arrived and, as they did one day this week, paddled around the shoreline where the ice had melted. For me their appearance has become the initial sign of spring’s beginning.

Yesterday, a contest was underway as I walked around the pond. Two male mallards chased one another, I’m presuming to win the attention of the single female pictured here, contentedly ignoring the commotion in the air above her.

Since the two males were indistinguishable to me, I can’t tell which of them was the aggressor nor which won the rivalry. Each male bird was composed and silent in his communication. They would stand near each other on the ice or paddle side by side in the water. By a signal invisible to me, a chase would spontaneously occur.

Above, the mallard at the top of the picture seemed to corner the other mallard along the shore. The bird closer to the shore appeared to ignore the other’s presence until, in the blink of an eye (as shown below), it took off into flight.

The birds would fly at a remarkable speed, arcing and diving in precise formation, one pursuing the other.


The pictures above show the beautiful markings and color of these birds. (Click on the photos to enlarge, then use the back arrow to return to the post.) And below, the speed of the bird might be hinted at.

These pictures show the bird in its early spring habitat of bare branches, pines, pond water and ice.

I consider it a sign of good luck that I captured so early in the season, what I call a ‘wing and a prayer’ shot. The birds passed over my head at warp speed. Without much conscious thought, I aimed the camera straight overhead and, click — here’s what I caught!

When all was said and done, here’s the two-some that made a pair.

And here’s the odd man out.

4 thoughts on “Mating Season”

  1. #6 shot is amazing – you must have an inborn timing mechanism that works like a charm for you.I hope the little couple has a nice spring and summer and lives happily ever after. I wonder if they\’ll have babies.

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  2. Thanks for the kudos – but it\’s more luck than skill I\’m afraid! I suspect the mallards will have babies and fingers crossed they all survive the Heron and turtles, and other threats of the wild! Thanks for visiting the post and please do again!

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  3. Love your blog, Mary. We have a common love of nature, wildlife, the pond but you really put it all into such serene and loving words. I too, as you know, am quite sad about the recent destruction of 1/5th of the pond's habitat and wish that those responsible could take the time to read your blog, see your pictures, and breath in the love you have for your natural surroundings so that they would realize what they've destroyed and hopefully not continue down this road again. Let's hope that the rest of the pond's habitat is spared. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.Sandy

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  4. Hi Sandy, Thanks for visiting my site and for commmenting. It is discouraging to realize how much people do not understand about the impact they have on their natural environment. One of my goals with this blog is to awaken a sense of respect for our natural habitat, which is not limited to our house!Hope to see you soon – Mary

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