February 28, 2017 Pacific Northwest
When somebody is grumbling about winter to me around here, I have to say But what about the ducks? How could you hate winter when you are graced with these multitudes of delightful ducks who are only here between November and April? How can you be longing for the empty bays of summer?
Usually I get a funny look, or eyes glaze over. But I know you folks here at Backyard Science understand. :)
While I celebrate signs of spring like everyone, buds swelling and frogs chorusing, I also feel a bit of sadness knowing the ducks will be departing in a month or two. So let’s celebrate some ducks today.
These are some of the wonderful ducks I’ve been seeing lately.
The Daily Bucket is a nature refuge. We amicably discuss animals, weather, climate, soil, plants, waters and note life’s patterns.
We invite you to note what you are seeing around you in your own part of the world, and to share your observations in the comments below.
Each note is a record that we can refer to in the future as we try to understand the phenological patterns that are quietly unwinding around us. To have the Daily Bucket in your Activity Stream, visit Backyard Science’s profile page and click on Follow.
Diving ducks —
Shallow-water diving ducks often cruise along with their heads underwater looking for likely prey. If they find something, then they’ll dive.
Most diving ducks just dive cleanly straight down, and bob back up with minimal splashing. These ducks I see in medium deep water, although sometimes they sidle alongside the shore.
Some ducks dabble —
Meanwhile, out at sea —
Back on shore, a winter’s evening —
With very few exceptions, all these ducks will depart in spring to go back to their breeding sites inland and north. In the meantime, they liven up winter, and draw me out to the beaches in any weather.
Time for you to share what you’re seeing in your natural neighborhood . . .
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