One Duck at a Time

I went to the Inglewood Bird Scanctuary last weekend. The famous migratory visitors there are the Wood Ducks. They come every spring to breed, stay for the summer, and fly away in the fall. But strangely, you can’t always see them there. So it’s a delight just to catch one or two hanging out.

Last weekend, I was excited to find not just a couple but a flock of Wood Ducks there. That could well be my last glimpse of them before they take leave. How we need something beautiful to look at this fall. Like canning your summer harvest for winter enjoyment, the photos I take will be my winter treats.

See the fallen tree trunks in the centre of the water in the above photo? That’s their hub. See them? Here’s a closer look:

Some might just walk by and not give them a second look, just some ducks they might think. But in my limited birding experience, the Wood Duck is probably the most beautiful ducks I’ve seen.

Beauty in a tangled mess of broken trunks and decaying wood makes me think of the Japanese notion of Wabi-sabi:

They like to gather on the branches, often just sleeping, preening, or sunbathing. So, it’s a real treat to see them swim out so I can take these photos. I can see how Monet would paint the scene if he were here:

Check out this slide show below:

Don’t know if I have the chance to see them again this fall, so I’ll just bid them adieu until next year. Don’t know much about anything these days, but I’ll take one duck at a time, and be glad to count my blessings, bird by bird.

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Arti

If she’s not birding by the Pond, Arti’s likely watching a movie, reading, or writing a review. Creator of Ripple Effects, bylines in Asian American Press, Vague Visages, Curator Magazine.

25 thoughts on “One Duck at a Time”

  2. What beautiful birds! Your photos captured them wonderfully! I was surprised by the blue on the tips of their wings! And the fall color is looking stunning right now. Thanks for sharing Arti!

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  5. I rarely see wood ducks and I’m glad you did. They are indeed the most beautiful of the ducks. And to see a whole flock — wonderful. The colors are splendid! And the photos — well done. They’re very good! I love the slide show, too!

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    1. Still trying out the features in my block editing. These are the most beautiful ducks I’ve seen. And you know, this is Thanksgiving weekend for us; the wood ducks sighting is a good memory for me to be grateful for what I’m given.

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    1. Anne, they are spectacular yet very quiet. This is Thanksgiving weekend for us in Canada. What an extraordinary time we’re in and seeing these beautiful birds among broken trunks and decaying wood is a good reminder to count my blessings and name them one by one, bird by bird. 🙂

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  8. What beautiful creatures. I’ve never seen one, although I know they’re around. I need to spend more time around our bottomlands, where they apparently are most common. After all, wood ducks need trees, not open prairies! Your photos are gorgeous, and show them off beautifully.

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    1. I’m so glad they choose our city, and in particular, the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary to be their annual breeding spot. I’m sure they are in other parts of the continent too, but their presence here is a wonderful blessing for me. Being so far north, we don’t get to see colourful birds as southerners do.

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    1. Thanks, Vic for stopping by. They are spectacular, aren’t they? I’m so glad that we get to have them, albeit just for a seasonal stay, here in our city, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. 🙂

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