Duck Duck Goose

I bet you can guess what kind of pictures you're about to see, can't you?

I used to not bother with photographing ducks or geese because they're so common,

but then as I took time to sit quietly, observing their behavior patterns and bodies,

I grew to appreciate their beauty, grace, personalities and mannerisms.

Dallas has gotten quite a bit of rain lately and this baby Mallard was

thoroughly enjoying digging around in the muck close to the pier at White Rock.

A sibling soon joined in the fun, but in a matter of seconds

 Mom showed up and herded them into the water. 

Blue-Winged Teal Ducks

This is the first year I've been able to photograph them because

they're here for only a short time each spring.

Notice the two turtles on the branch sticking out of the water to the right?

Then there were three!

  Cayuga Ducks

They have the most colorful feathers, especially when the sun hits them just right.

Crested Ducks

This isn't exactly in focus, but it's the ONLY time I've been able to photograph one face-on.

They're veeeeery shy and when anyone comes near the shore...they dart out into the water.

Check out the "pom-pom" on the back of its head.  At least it makes it easy to identify!

THIS is my typical angle of photographing them!

Greater Scaup Ducks

And yes, their eyes really ARE that color!

Malards

I LOVE how the green on the face blends backward into purple, and

how a few of their tale feathers curl up.

With the way the sun is shining on him, you can REALLY see the purple!

And, once again, we see that the male was given the more colorful coats.

Wonder what that's all about?!?!?!?

Female Mallard

When we were at the lake a few weeks ago, I was just walking around and heard something

in the bushes to my left.  Imagine my surprise when all of a sudden a head pops up!

I had never seen a mallard hiding in a bush before!

As I continued walking...he continued watching...

his eyes never leaving mine and his head following me.

I couldn't imagine what he was doing so far away from the water,

but my next step answered the question.

So I guess mama was giving birth to those babies I took pictures of this week!

Muscovy Ducks

Don't ya just love salt & pepper hair!

There are soooo many variations of muscovy ducks,

but Sinatra (that's what I've named him) and

Lady Godiva are my two favorite...especially her because she LOVES to pose for me.

I probably have 100 pictures of her, but this is my favorite.

 Northern Black Bellied Whistling Ducks

This was the one and only time I'd seen them, and by the next day

they were rested enough to continue their journey northward.

Northern Shoveler

Extremely skiddish around people; very hard to photograph.

Another example of the male vs female coloring.

Isn't she beautiful with the way the shadows are falling.

Wood Ducks...my FAVORITE!

They are SOOOOO colorful and delightful to watch, and are only here a few weeks

out of the year so I try to go as often as I can to see them.  The male is the colorful one

(of course) on the left and the female is on the right.

Notice their "helmets" are different lengths; the one on the left is a juvenile

and the one on the right is a full grown male.  They stand like I do; one leg tucked up! 

Can you guess what this is?  (Muscovy)

What about this one? (Blue-Teal)

I KNOW you'll be able to guess the next on.

Look at the curls at the back.  Did you guess a male Mallard?!  YEA!!! You're right.

Canada Geese

There's a large flock that comes during the winter but only a few remain year round.

Brown-White Chinese Goose

White Chinese Goose

I love to watch them waddle cause they act like they own the place!

Greater White Fronted Goose

They're very sweet and seem to get along with all the other ducks and geese.

This concludes the "normal" section of our program for the day.

The next pictures might be considered "X Rated" so you've been warned!

Now's your chance to exit out.

Are you too curious?!?!?!

A couple of weeks ago I was photographing a large flock of ducks and geese.

All of a sudden I hear a VERY loud commotion to my left and when I turned to see what

was going on...I was shocked because I'd never witnessed anything like that before, so...naturally...I had to click away.  And, of course, it IS spring, you know.

It appears that a White Chinese goose was trying to mate

with a Brown-White Chinese goose, and there would be NONE of that!

The White Chinese geese are a little bit bigger than the Brown-White,

and it really looks like he was trying to drown the poor dear

    because her head kept going completely under the surface.

It then appeared that the Brown-White on top was going to teach the White a lesson.

They disappeared underneath the dock for a few minutes and then the White

went one way and the two Brown-White went another.

So...interestingly enough...the very next weekend

I observe the same behavior, but with a group of ducks this time.

At first it was the two white ducks enjoying themselves,

and then all of a sudden a male Mallard decides to join in,

 which infuriates the while male.  And, once again, the poor dear on bottom is helpless...until

a large White Chinese goose comes to her rescue.

Now I can't swear that it's the same goose who was involved in the trio the other

weekend...but I suspect it is and she remembers how unpleasant the whole ordeal was

so she was going to put an immediate stop to this by splitting them up.

 And split them up she did! 

WHAT WAS THAT MALLARD THINKING?!?!?!

As always, THANK YOU for sharing in my nature journey

and I pray that whatever journey you are on...it is full of wonder and laughter and love.