Continueing updates on Mallards.Wood-Ducks,Fox Kit.

We have updates on 2 Mallard families. First is the oldest group which numbered 3.
They are now full grown and able to fly but are sticking around.

One drake and 2 females.

And here is the Drake. Not yet having developed the full colours. Head is kinda purple rather than the end Green it will soon become.

 

And this Mlallrad family is the one that started off with 10 ducklings then went to 9-8-7 and now numbers 6.

 

and a closeup of 3

Next up... Wood-Ducks. The 3 young ones

The female:

and a Drake:

on to the Fox Kit.
First picture shows it just emerging from the den. Look closely and you can see the PVC pipe culvert used as home.

a bit of a coquette, with a flower held in its teeth. Did a few flamenco steps as well. 

Look deeply into my eyes....

For comparison.... here is a mature fox and this young one.

Both photos taken 3 days apart.

Eastern Kingbird feeding, young Fox Kit, GBH, Monarchs, Ringneck family

Kingbird's nest at the Sheriff Creek sanctuary.
Adult arrives with bug.

Then stuffs it in the biggest mouth.

and watches it as it disappears.

This is a young fox still clinging to its den. Was quite reluctant to come out till it snuck a few peeks at me and determined I was not much of a threat. Stayed out of the den only long enough for these 3 shots then dove back in for good.

Still having difficulty getting Wood Ducks to come within a reasonable distance to have their portraits done.
But in the meantime... here's a family group shot. One duckling out of the frame.

A Great Blue Heron is showing up a  bit more frequently.

on to the Monarchs. To me, there seems to be more this year.

These Monarch caterpillars all were on one Milkweed plant. The largest of 10 plants in the group. Smaller plants were ignored.

And if you ever wondered (and I am certain we all have) what caterpillar poop looks like here is your opportunity to broaden your scientific knowledge.

Finishing off with a family of Ringnecked Ducks.
Swimming upstream against the Serpent River current.
8 duckling keeping pace with mother with 2 others bring up the rear.

Snake,Beaver,Catbird, Duck families & assorted other.

This is a half meter long Northern Water snake basking on the walkway.

 

Beavers showing their preference for Water Lilly plants. And second photo shows they have a taste for the buds too.

Catbird sitting on bench back at entrance to the Sheriff Creek sanctuary.

 and landing on a branch with a bug snack.

This is another update on Mallard families.

This particular bunch is family number three. They are not quite ready to show as much independence as the other 2 groups were and stick close to mother.

This one seems to be Mama's favourite.

These 2 on the log......Mergansers. unknown gender, likely this year's crop.

Next series of pictures are of the only Wood Duck family (so far) in the sanctuary.

 

And here they are watching a pair of adults sail by.

It is to hope that his pair will do the right thing and increase the population.

 Next, some views of an adult but for some reason it does not have the fully developed plumage expected.But as males have been elusive this year we have to settle for this one. Will still keep looking for better.

Wood Duck Family. and more

This year sees a very much reduced number of Wood Ducks in the local sanctuary and for that matter a;; over the district.
But we have a small family in residence. Presumably they nested in one of our nesting boxes in the marsh. Judging by the number of (unhatched) eggs that are found in the winter nesting box clean-outs, three is the normal size. Far cry from the up to 12 for Mallards.

Here they stop off for "grooming"

then the little ones step aside as mother gets too vigorous

Time to move on.

Next picture is of a single female WD. She had been over-flying the area and "calling", landed and continued to call. Then moved to another area of the marsh. I got distinct feeling she was looking for offspring. No idea if she found them and was the mother in the previous group or no.

 

Still having no luck with suitable photos of males. May have to resort to a picture from last year.

Here's a beaver hard at work. Lugging fresh branches to do home improvements on the lodge.

 

Now and update on Mallards.

First. This group is now old enough to fend for themselves but still tend to group together, now that the mother has left. They are pictured downstream from the dam's outfall, heading down Sheriff Creek through the Tamarack Bog.

 

They were the oldest of the Mallard families.

Next group of pictures are of a later bunch. Started at an even dozen but were reduced to seven. Then I guess they got  large enough to discourage Snapping Turtles from dining 

picture yourself scratching your nose with your foot!


Another,usually frequent visitor but scarce this year. Great Blue Heron.
Here one is about to land.

Not long after settling down it makes a lunge for dinner

But resurfaces empty handed (beaked ?) and begins raising its wings out of the water preparing to takeoff.