21 Comments

Wonderful photos and a beautiful description of your adventure with the ducks. Thank you so much.

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You are welcome. Thanks for sharing your appreciation.

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Thank you for taking me on this guided tour with you in the duck blind. I found myself being still, only my eyes moving down the screen of your written words, and holding my breath as the wood duck came closer. Then being rewarded with not just one but two beautiful photos of this colorful creature.

I have seen those fellows at my small stream at various times over the years. But I always thought they were hooded mergansers. I’ll have to get Petersons field guide out and re-read up on the ducks.

Always love your posts and the poems you share. ❤️🦆🤗

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That is great. I like the idea of you being still as you read about the wary duck coming closer. Another thing to consider is that wood ducks are quite vocal in the spring. If they are around you will hear them calling. Learning their call is a great way to know if they are in your area.

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Your words and photos are a balm to my soul. Thank you so much for this healing work.

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What a lovely scene you draw! I picture the sky, water and the ducks feeding. Beautiful.

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This is beautiful 🌾

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This is 🌾

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That sounds like an awesome outing! Love the description and photos of that male Wood Duck. Agreed that 'Nature is a magic show' and wish more people would stop for a few minutes each day to simply watch and appreciate.

One of my challenges up here in Ottawa Canada is to get a decent photo of Common Goldeneyes. The ones that have recently arrived are quite shy and skittish and swim away or fly off at the slightest hint of the unknown. I'm hoping they'll become less shy in the coming weeks so I can get a decent photo.

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Thanks Neil. Close encounters with waterfowl are quite rare for me. Most of the time, they are nervous and at a distance. I have the same challenge here with goldeneyes and other ducks. If you are persistent you may end up in the right place at the right time and those golden eyes will pop up right in front of you. I think the challenge of getting close is part of what makes it so thrilling when it does happen. Good luck!

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Thanks for the bird watching trip! Gorgeous photos. "A cosmic energy radiates out of his red eyes." and "All of my surroundings were humming with life." Beautifully said. I actually just shared a short article I wrote 17 years ago, along with recent photos, about birding at my local marsh. I think you'd enjoy it: https://lindsayhartley.substack.com/p/a-winter-walk-at-buttertub-marsh

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Buttertub marsh is a great name. I was struck by the similarity of our descriptions of birding in a marsh. It is nice to know that others are tuned into the same experience. Good luck with your new Substack.

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Yes, I saw the parallels in our descriptions as well. Thank Bill.

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Beautiful, thoughtful writing, Bill.

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I adore ducks so I obviously adore your photos 😊 I especially love the green-winged teal sliding into the water ❤️❤️

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Thank you. What informative and interesting reading. I could feel the breeze on my face, as I was holding my breath. Now I want to read this again, while breathing!

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I listened to the Wood Duck’s call in my book - BIRD SONGS 250 North American Birds In Song by Les Beletsky. The audio is from The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. It is also a beautiful picture book (not quite as beautiful as your photos) and includes a few paragraphs on each bird. The Wood Duck is very loud!

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Wonderful post, as always. I have photographed many female wood ducks, but the male in all his glory has so far eluded me. Gorgeous photos, a testament to your patience and practice.

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This post is a keeper!

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Stunning lighting (that gold and blue!), stunning photos and a gentle, soothing story. Our Australian wood ducks are very very different to your American ones. Yours are so vibrant!

As Australia is so dry, our towns and cities are often built on water courses and water management becomes essential, so in my part of the country there are some wonderful wetlands incorporated into day-to-day living. We can be surrounded by little black grebes and swamp hens, and our wood ducks are a common sight for me. (I remember walking through my university decades ago seeing a tree full of them!! I had no idea that wood ducks congregated in trees!!)

Another wonderful read. Thanks so much.

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Wind, water, all the subtle cues of fall. Looks like we're both tapped into similar ideas. Thank you for your beautiful and graceful writing.

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