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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.
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November 2019
Salish Sea, PacificNorthwest
Buffies are a lively bunch, especially at dusk, and on this evening they couldn’t help but stir up their fellow ducks at that end of the bay. Usually all these sociable little ducks settle down in shallow water as it gets dark, but sometimes as they congregate in a tight little flock they get a bit feisty with each other.
Hoodies in foreground, buffies beyond
The hoodies (Hooded Mergansers) were all tucked in, heads under their wings, drifting by the shoreline. The buffies (Buffleheads) were chasing and squeaking amongst themselves.
Then a couple of drake buffies paddled over and woke them up. Ducks don’t sleep soundly of course but that was the end of their snooze.
Snoozing
Their heads pop up
Once alert, these two hoodie drakes got into a posturing competition. They try to look as tall as possible, reaching up their heads, fanning out their crests and waving them at each other. There’s conversation too. The drakes are colorful, the hens shades of brown. The hoodie hens did not seem to be paying much attention to the drakes.
A video shows the maneuvers in action.
It looked like the buffies kept hanging about, provoking them.
After a while the buffies pootled on back to their own flock. The hoodies kept watch, on full alert, but settled back down. The bold black and white pattern on the drake hoodies is as impressive from the back as the side view.
A third drake was lazing in the wings. His crest is more relaxed. There’s a whole range of crest configurations for them, and what they display is part of their language even I can interpret somewhat.
You can understand why I love winter. The ducks alone are a high point. Such lively expressive creatures!
🍂
Partly sunny and chilly this morning in the PacificNorthwest. Cloudburst last night with thunder and fair bit of rain.
Days are getting short.
What’s up in nature in your area today?
🍁
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