Well, I got to class this morning to find out that it was canceled, the third time this has happened for this class this semester. I really should begin checking my emails in the morning. So to compensate for extra time in my usually busy schedule, I'm afraid to see what will happen if I sit back and relax, I went birding! Okay, I really went Christmas shopping. But on the way to the mall, I decided that there was no harm in stopping en route at the duck pond....right? There really wasn't much new today. The same list of mallards, American black ducks, ring-necked ducks, northern shovelers, belted kingfisher, the latest usual. The birds on the water avoided me, but some of the birds were on the banks which gave me great chances at up close shots, but the brush was an obstacle.
Mallards
Mallard, this shot would be SO cool if there wasn't vegetation in the way...!
Mallard, this one is a bit better I think.
While I was shooting the mallards, I glanced up to see a drake wood duck dabbling around in the water. Next to the northern pintail and a few others, the wood duck is one of my absolute favorite ducks to see!!! I feel like I say this allot when it comes to waterfowl....?
Drake woody with american black ducks
Drake woody
I love the colors and striping on this bird!
Drake wood duck with american black ducks
While I was shooting and watching the wood duck through my bins, the other birds seemed to accept the fact that I was hanging out for a while and came back out onto the water to be a bit more active. Among them were northern shovelers, a gadwall pair, american black ducks, mallards, and the continuing american coot.
Northern shovelers
Gadwall
Gadwall
Gadwall
Gadwall compared to mallard
Gadwall
I noticed some commotion on the opposite bank, and saw the woody was chasing some ducks away, seeming to defend a little resting territory for himself.
Mixed bag of resting ducks
American coot, american black duck, mallard
On my way back to the vehicle, the tree snag laying over the water had a number of ducks hanging around as it usually does.
Mallards
Mallards
Mallards
The juncos were also present, foraging in the brush on the banks and understory.
Dark-eye junco
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