We’ve had over a dozen hooded mergansers in the Wetlands for the past week or so. Monday and Tuesday nights (11/17 & 11/18) were cold enough to freeze over the water. There was one merganser on the pond Wednesday morning. The lone merg swam back and forth in a small open spot of water nervously looking about, presumably, for an escape route should she need it. The bird was fairly close to the Wetlands Overlook and I was making her nervous.Read more
Posts tagged: #diving ducks
And Then There Were Two
Yesterday I reported a bufflehead in the Wetlands. Well, another bufflehead found its way into our little wetland. The two diving ducks are sticking close to each other, swimming and diving as they go. They stick so close, in fact, that when swimming along together as in the photo, one will dive under the water to search for food while the other waits for it to surface before proceeding. Ah, togetherness.Read more
ANSWER to last QUIZ
First, the “things to consider” from the last post are explained: My tracks are on the water. The tracks, or splashes, seem to be made by something striking the surface of the water, probably feet. Many creatures live in and around water, otters, beaver, muskrats, even raccoons take a dip every now and then. They all swim but do not walk or run on top of the water, no matter how fast they run. Basilisk Lizards (some call them Jesus Lizards,Read more