The American Black Duck is very similar in appearance to the female mallard, although its feathers are darker and its bill is an olive yellow. Not as common here as the mallard but still well represented.
Tag Archives: Birds
DUCK PADDLE
A group of ducks on the water can be called a paddling of ducks. I think the term suits these mallards just fine.
GOOSE TRIO
If you wait awhile Canada Geese can strike some interesting poses or sometimes you just happen upon a scene like this.
ONE IN EVERY GROUP
I watched as the mother duck led her young ones towards the pond. They all fell into line except for the one at the rear 😊
GREAT EGRET (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
There’s a wetland not far from town that we drive to a few times over the summer. When we pulled over we saw a solitary Egret fishing. I wasn’t using my longest lens but the 300mm did a fair job. After a few minutes, I looked away and when I looked back the bird was in the air. Look at those legs, pulled together like a diver in flight!
FUNNY DUCKS
I took the male’s portrait and then his mate joined the frame. I think mallards are the comedians of the duck world.
DUCK TO WATER
The river was pretty choppy but this black duck knew exactly how to maneuver through it.
A CUT ABOVE
Pigeons are common and not very popular given their messy ways. A liked this one though, a very handsome bird.
GRACKLE IN THE GRASS
I usually see grackles near water or in trees, so I was surprised to see this bird walking along in the grass. I know people with bird feeders tend to dislike grackles as they will bully the other birds. I like them though and admire their keen eye and good looks (they also keep the insect population down).
CALM WATERS
The water on this stretch of river has the most beautiful reflections. My good luck that the mallard decided to take that route.
GUARD DUCK
The mallard had recently gotten out of the water and was drying off on the grass. I hesitated for a moment before I approached. It looked like a no nonsense duck!
FEMALE DOWNY WOODPECKER
Downy Woodpeckers are the smallest woodpeckers in North America. As they don’t migrate we get to enjoy them year round. They have some fast moves as they forage, it pays to have a steady hand 😏.
TREE SWALLOW
I took a lot of photos of this tree swallow but most were in very harsh light. I finally got this photo under better lighting conditions but the bird’s eye is not visible. Its beautiful feathers make up for that though.
PRIVACY PLEASE
I took this photo as the mallard was emerging from the river. The duck didn’t look too pleased by my presence 😏
LOOKOUT
I like to see robins strike this pose, stretching to their full height. It stopped feeding for a moment, looked around and then continued on.
DOWNY WOODPECKER
This downy woodpecker is one of the first I’ve seen this spring. She appeared to be considering how to approach the job of searching for insects.
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD
If you see a Red-winged Blackbird, it’s supposed to be a lucky sign. Given that they usher in Spring, I would have to agree!
CITY BIRD
The red brick made an attractive backdrop for this common pigeon. Often maligned, I thought this bird had presence.
Duck Out Of Water
Walking along the path, I happened to look up and saw a wood duck sitting on the branch of a tree. There’s a first time for everything 😊
Line Up
You can’t get much cuter than these goslings.
FOR THE BIRDS
I took this Black-crowned Night Heron one day in May a few years ago. We’re having snow showers today. The early spring migrants must be wondering what’s up with this weather 😏
MONDAY MALLARD
Warm spring days aren’t with us yet so it’s a bit cold for much photography. I continue to dip into my archives for now. A duck for your Monday viewing.
Wood Ducks (Two Photographs)
Wood Ducks are the most colourful ducks we see in this area. A few have been spotted here this spring. They return to breed and remain until the temperatures dip. I took these photos several years back.
NORTHERN CARDINAL
I took this photo in the fall and the cardinal hadn’t quite finished moulting. A few weeks earlier he probably looked pretty rough, not here though.
HAIRY WOODPECKER
The hammering sound broke the silence in the woods and we followed it to its source; a male hairy woodpecker excavating a tree.
Duck Solo
We have a good number of mallards in my area and they’re a favourite on my blog. They’re handsome, lively ducks and you usually see them in large groups or rafts. This male mallard found the perfect spot for a quiet stretch.
BARE TREES
I chose not to crop the photo. You can just see the sparrow but I thought this was really a landscape photograph.
EARLY HERON
Great Blue Herons migrate alone or in numbers and return here in early April. I saw this solitary heron on the water’s edge. With the water open it would find plenty to eat while it waited for its mates to arrive.
BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE
Chickadees are another bird I feature quite frequently. We are fortunate to have their lively presence year round in our woods and backyards.
QUACKERS
Regular readers will know that mallards are favourites of mine. Looking at this bunch leaves little doubt why 😊.
WINTER FAVOURITE
The Pileated Woodpecker is the largest woodpecker in North America. They are non migratory; their main food source are the larvae and insects that live in the bark of trees. I love to see these striking birds in winter’s muted landscape.
LIQUID GOLD
It was difficult to say which was more eye catching, the wood duck or the fall reflections. I was just happy to be there that day.
EARLY GOOSE
I took this photo one year at the very end of March. Although the river was thawing the goose must have regretted its early return.
VROOM
The water was cold when this mallard took a swim. That, or just a bit of natural exuberance. 😊
HAIRY WOODPECKER
Very similar in appearance to the Downy Woodpecker, the Hairy is distinguished by its larger size and bill length. Have to admire that fancy footwork too. 😊
CHICKADEE
Black-capped chickadees, all season favourites.
ON FROZEN POND
I took this photo in late fall as the water was just beginning to freeze. Mallards tolerate the cold and quite a few remain in this location all year. We’re under an extreme cold warning tonight and while we add on the layers, I can’t helping wondering how the ducks will manage.
EARLY BIRD
Eastern Phoebes are elegant little birds. This one looked a bit ruffled. Maybe it was due to the early hour or it was just moulting.
WINTER FAVOURITE
Winter doesn’t seem as long and bleak when there are Cardinals in the woods.
DUCK CHEER
Happy New Year!
