Tag: mallard

My Welcome Back

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I’ve been ‘off-site’ for two weeks, enjoying the slow paced life on an island off the coast of Maine. But, along with that slow pace was limited internet access. So my blog sat idle, despite my planning ahead by categorizing photos for posts I intended to write during my time away. But having returned home yesterday, I today, with pleasure, enjoyed many turns around the pond as I became reacquainted with the setting. My first impression was that the foliage is dull. The green luster is all but gone and nearly most of the blossoms have died off. Here, Joe-Pye-Weed is barely recognizable as it goes to seed, and the once brilliant green foliage that highlighted its setting turns brown.

A Heron and I danced our dance, eying one another while keeping out of each other’s way. It had been a long while since I’d seen a Heron at the pond, and it was a welcome site.

It displayed its skill in fishing, catching one and ‘savoring’ it in one big gulp. The photo below catches the action, but the skill and speed at which the catch occurs, outmatched me with my camera. The photo is not great quality. (But, do note the duck in the lower right, floating along unruffled as nature’s brutality unfolds just feet away. The same duck, which I believe to be a female mallard, is pictured at the top of this post. In that picture, please see her lovely colors by clicking on the image to enlarge it. Use your back arrow to return to the post.)

I share the next picture of the Heron to pass on an observation. I was about ten feet from the bird when I took this. I stood for ten minutes or more, watching as it stayed perfectly still, nothing moving but what looked to be a twitching muscle at the top of its neck. Its mouth hung just open as you see in the photo. It appeared to be in a trance, its eyes staring. I have seen the Heron freeze in place from afar. It will hold its pose for an amazing amount of time, waiting to strike and catch its prey. I wondered if I was observing this state of readiness as I watched what you see in this picture. Before the scene could play out, someone passed by and frightened the bird into flight.

I share the picture below – a wonderful presentation of the Heron in its element. Here it stalks under the cover of growth along the pond’s bank.

As I left the pond, I passed by a cluster of aster, looking all the world to be at the height of its growing season, despite the dullness around it. It was a lovely reminder of the brightness of the summer flowers, on this first day of the fall season.

And, hope for the next summer season came in the fluffy puff balls of seeds ready to take flight in the image below.

My time in Maine was wonderful. I might not be thrilled to return to my full work schedule, but I am happy to be nearby the pond.

Bonus Photo: I was tired when I arrived home late in the afternoon yesterday. After unpacking the car, I fed and walked the dog. One lap around the pond with him tugging, sniffing, stopping, territorally ‘going’ was enough for me, so I returned him to the house and went back to the pond for a lap alone. It was just twilight and had become too dark for photos. As I returned to my driveway, I ran into a neighbor who, knowing I’d been away, alerted me to a coyote sighting in our neighborhood. As I got the details, something made me glance to my right, where the coyote stood 30 feet from us, observing, listening, contemplating – who knows. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Here is a photo I took. Generally, I wouldn’t bother to put a photo of such poor quality in my blog. And, you certainly can find better representations of this animal online. But, as this canine is a bit out of its element, and the first I’ve ever seen, I share the picture. It was as big as a large German Shephard. You may need to angle your screen to get its outline. Pretend you are wearing night vision goggles! I nervously hope to see it again, in better light.

How Do I Love Thee?!

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If ever I wonder, and sometimes I do, will the pond someday bore me – a day such as today sets me straight. As the pond is ever-changing, it is not likely that I will take for granted its presentations.

With the temperature in the 70’s and sandals finally on my feet, I walked the dog one time around the pond. I took shots of the emerging leaf buds, schools of fish, the first dandelion flowers, and, what you see here – a mallard and a turtle. In no more than 30 seconds a series of twelve photos captured this scene of harmony between two beautiful creatures. While the mallard is immediately seen, the large turtle hangs just below the surface in the foreground. Enjoy these five photos.

Click on the photos to enlarge. Use back arrow to
return to the post.

Here, the turtle comes up for a look about!

As the mallard circles back, they spook, and in the blink of an eye, they are gone!

Moving my eyes from the view-finder, I saw the mallard alighting some twenty feet to the left. As I am get quicker on the draw with my camera and settings, I was able to catch it as it landed.

I will devote my next post to my faithful and patient companion!

Spring Has Sprung

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This week the pond officially entered the spring season.While birds have been chirping wildly for a week or so, on Tuesday, a pair of mallards arrived and skirted their way alongshore, as a sheet of ice still ran the inner length of the pond.

Wednesday morning the ice was gone, and I was able to capture the landing of two Canada geese. As I heard their honk in the distance, I readied myself to capture their flight and landing, hoping the pond was their destination. It always thrills me to see these landings. With much ado – honking and physical fanfare – they seem to tumble into a splashdown! Sometimes a dozen or so will land at once, leaving a wake of white water as they skid to a halt, following a canon-ball like splash. Ready as I was, the pictures are blurry. I forgot to set the camera for ‘sports action’. But, I think the blur adds to the comical event these landings are. Does it look as if there is a plan to the landing approach, or is it good luck tumble? Click on the pictures to view them in larger size. (Use your back arrow key to return to the post.) Soon, I hope to have perfected these action shots.

Yesterday, I watched a robin have a worm for breakfast, which makes me know the ground is thawing. And, I saw two tiny fish swim in the water! Not more than four inches in length,I had to wonder how they survive the frigid temperature of their habitat.

At day’s end, I think I saw the beaver. I hesitate to anticipate the delight I feel in watching this creature love the water. But, I know I saw something, glide smooth and steady for about fifteen feet, and then disappear into a little cave at water level on the far
side of the island. The ‘cave’ is nearly dead-center in the photo (click to enlarge and for better clarity).


I have no idea where beavers live. I know they make dams, they slap their tails on the water, and they gnaw on trees, but that’s about it. Although I suppose I have to include in my knowledge, the observations I recorded here of the beaver this time last year. I’ve mentioned in past posts that I don’t want to study any of the nature I observe for at least a season. And, if you look back to my ‘crater’ posts, you’ll be reminded that I am capable of speculation that is far off the mark. But, I’m wagering that beaver is in that hole. And, I’ll see it again. I remember from last year that it likes an early evening swim. So, I’ll be out looking at that time for the next several days.