Migratory Bufflehead Duck

I captured this image one afternoon as I stopped to grab a bite to eat in Hendersonville. Glancing over at a pond situated right off the parking lot, I saw a lone duck diving into the water. Oftentimes, I bring my camera with me while running appointments for work. When you travel, keep your camera stowed out of sight from passersby. You don't want to entice anyone. I stow mine on the floorboard behind my seat and usually cover it up. This was one of those days when it paid off to have my camera nearby. I snapped a few images before heading into the restaurant. I could tell from a distance that this was probably a Bufflehead duck. He was very busy diving for lunch. Later in the week I stopped at the same eatery. No sign of any wildlife in the pond that day. This Bufflehead Duck was probably hundreds of miles South by then. Have a great weekend all. ENJOY!

Juvenile Wood Duck, Murfree Spring Wetlands

In spite of the 90 degree temperatures today, I took a few minutes to drive to Murfree Spring Wetlands this afternoon southeast of Nashville to check out the wildlife. The water level of the swamp was down quite a bit. I did not see as much wildlife this visit, but did see a juvenile Beaver take down a sapling and disappear into the water with the tiny branch. Unfortunately, all of the foliage kept me from getting any decent images.

On my second walk around the parameter of the wetland, I happened upon a juvenile female Wood Duck sitting on the railing. She sat for a while and called out repeatedly. My thought was perhaps for Mom and Dad, who were nowhere in sight.

The second time I happened upon the same juvenile Wood Duck she was sitting on the railing on the far side of the wetlands calling out again. After a few minutes, she flew off into the wetlands. The Wood Duck's sound as she was calling out seemed more like a 'peep' than a call. She kept looking all around her and calling. Although it was very hot today, the humidity wasn't very bad. With the official start of Summer just around the corner, I am praying for a mild one. Have a great week everyone. ENJOY!

Linking to Saturday Critters and Our World Tuesday and The Scoop

Ruffled Feathers!

I know it's the dead of winter, but I was taking a trip through my archives today and came across this image of a duck ruffling and cleaning his feathers, or in more appropriate terms, maybe it's preening, that I took while on my trek to Chicago last summer. I love the colors and the texture so I wanted to share it with you. Apparently I'm into textures and patterns if you read this blog regularly. I would love to be in Chicago right now . . . shopping, and eating, at all the fabulous restaurants, of course. By the way anyone know the name of this duck? Enjoy!