Spring is coming. Not quite yet, of course, but the mallards are going to be ready for it. They're busy pairing off, getting ready for the early egg-laying. And they're wearing their brightest, gaudiest, flirtiest colours.
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| A toddler had a bag of bird seed, so the mallards joined the pigeons in the park. |
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| Greens, blues, purples, deep burgundy, orange and yellow, warm browns. And a pigeon's red eyes. |
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| And they return to the estuary to primp. Gotta look your best! |
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| The water's about 2 feet deep here. But a flapping mallard can stand upright on top. |
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| Two males and a female. |
Courting couples spin, bobbing up and down, bending and stretching alternately in a ritualistic dance.
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| Happy pair. |
I remembered to hit the video button just in time.
Love mallards. Love pigeons. But when it comes to mating the males can be pretty terrible and I'm glad I'm not a duck.
ReplyDeleteNo wonder the females kick them out once the babies hatch!
DeleteIt seems so early. We still have no bird action, except for the resident ravens. - Margy
ReplyDelete