Fine-feathered Friends

There have been a remarkable number of waterfowl on the pond this year (see how I remark!). We have had several pairs of wood ducks alight for a spell, and one of them has been present, though inconspicuous, for a few weeks now. They have probably felt encouraged to stay by the presence of other birds, such as the mallards, which have been incredibly numerous. Aside from the many transient individuals and pairs, a band of 6 mateless males have taken to cruising the pond like a gang of social rejects, harrassing the males of mated pairs that try to join their company. Although lately, one mated pair seems to have earned their tolerance, possibly some old gang leader who has finally grown up and settled down, planning to raise a family in a quiet suburban pond-town, not willing to put up with their wreckless bachelor drake lifestyle any longer. Such are so many of us sedated into complacent domesticity.

The most unusual visitor has been the female hooded merganser, who clearly suffers from an identity crisis, chasing after the gang of male mallards like a desperate teenager, too naive to know that they are a different species altogether. If she could only see the male of her species, she would wonder why she wasted her time with such unsightly birds as mallards at all.

And the most notable, and noticeable, of aquatic avian presences, the Canada geese, have returned, and equally as unannounced as last year. I didn't even know they had arrived or been present in any way, until suddenly this morning when I saw them on the pond with goslings in tow! Parenthood for them must be a truly humbling experience, for them to be so silent and clandestine when they are so naturally large and noisy. If these are indeed the same geese from last year, then they are welcome back because they were very amiable towards visitors, not even hissing or flapping at a single one (including the nosy children who probably deserved a good pecking).

One more bird of note, though not explicitly aquatic, is the tree swallow. I discovered them after Sunday's hailstorm, when the sun broke through and the air was cool and clean. I went down to the edge of the pond and watched these iridescent blue birds dart and dash all about the pond, occasionally dimpling the water with their pointy wings, nabbing insects in mid-air. They often came within 10 feet of me, so I was able to get an intimate look at their beautiful form and coloring in spite of their incredible speed.

Other resident birds worth mentioning - pileated woodpecker (gouging), northern flicker (nesting), eastern phoebe (gleaning), red-shouldered hawk (hunting), turkey vulture (soaring), wood thrush (singing!), and baltimore oriole (...coloring?).

P.S. - The beaver is still present, though no trees have been felled yet.