picture of female mallard

The arrival of the mallards has become the first sign of spring at the pond – well, ever since the first year I lived here when a beaver kicked off the season, slicing through the frigid water and sounding the alert at my passing by slapping his tail on the water, resulting in a crack that cut through the air and ricocheted off surrounding trees like a gunshot.

I have no idea where the mallards spent the winter, but they look relaxed, and comfortably at home – happy in fact – as they glide through the barely thawed water.

I share two similar photos which display the color and markings of this waterfowl. The male, in the foreground, has a shiny green head and neck that sometimes looks deep purple. The slightly smaller female has duller colors but she is no less striking with her markings, especially her eye markings, which make me think of Cleopatra’s.

The photo above is a favorite of mine because it shows the typical setting of the mallards – close to the shore and somewhat sheltered. From another angle, below, they are observed eating – what, I don’t know. They submerge their whole head underwater and forage around, coming up for air infrequently. The female especially spends lots of time in this activity. I’m not sure of the mating season, but watching her, I had the sense she might be satisfying a craving!

Yesterday, as the sun set, they took off. Here are their silhouettes against the early evening sky.

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.

Tag: picture of female mallard

It’s Springtime Again

Mating Season