DROP-DEAD GORGEOUS!/Or, “Move Over Mallards”
(Via gardenauthor)
"Drop-dead Gorgeous!"..... An exclamation reserved for well-dressed humans, sporting the finest in fashion. But for an admirer of the extravagant beauty of our natural world, this term is reserved for the most flamboyant of backyard guests. Below you see a case in point. This morning, I witnessed the return of two pairs of Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa). They nested on the shores of Lily Pond last year, so I'm hoping these little ducks (17-20") will resume their residence. I mean, what other duck is worthy of such an accolade?.....
Photo: www.huntingsociety.org
Male Wood Duck
Photo: www.huntingsociety.org
Male and female Wood Duck
Unless it's the little Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola)... a flashy black and white sensation, who returned to the shores of Lily Pond, just yesterday (last season, they stayed for several weeks, but did not nest here). The showy male is accompanied, everywhere he swims, by the darker, more compact female. She sports a white cheek spot and white wing patch. At 13-15" long, these fast-moving ducks are constantly diving (even during yesterday's mini snowstorm) and certainly deserve any compliment I pay them...
Photo: Terry Spivey, USDA Forestry Service, Bugwood.org
Male Bufflehead Duck
Photo: Terry Spivey, USDA Forestry Service, Bugwood.org
Female Bufflehead with ducklings
"Drop-dead Gorgeous!"..... An exclamation reserved for well-dressed humans, sporting the finest in fashion. But for an admirer of the extravagant beauty of our natural world, this term is reserved for the most flamboyant of backyard guests. Below you see a case in point. This morning, I witnessed the return of two pairs of Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa). They nested on the shores of Lily Pond last year, so I'm hoping these little ducks (17-20") will resume their residence. I mean, what other duck is worthy of such an accolade?.....
Photo: www.huntingsociety.orgMale Wood Duck
Photo: www.huntingsociety.orgMale and female Wood Duck
Unless it's the little Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola)... a flashy black and white sensation, who returned to the shores of Lily Pond, just yesterday (last season, they stayed for several weeks, but did not nest here). The showy male is accompanied, everywhere he swims, by the darker, more compact female. She sports a white cheek spot and white wing patch. At 13-15" long, these fast-moving ducks are constantly diving (even during yesterday's mini snowstorm) and certainly deserve any compliment I pay them...
Photo: Terry Spivey, USDA Forestry Service, Bugwood.orgMale Bufflehead Duck
Photo: Terry Spivey, USDA Forestry Service, Bugwood.orgFemale Bufflehead with ducklings
Needless to say, the appearance of these six ducks is spring's best gift, to date. The resident Mallards are handsome and amusing (and I'm proud of "my" Mallards' behavior and the peace that reigns between all these species), but for now, at least, it's "Move over Mallards and make room for the 'Drop-dead Gorgeous!' "
©Deb Lambert 2008
©Deb Lambert 2008
