And, I fear I'm getting boring. Nothing much today but a few more pictures out of my windows.
This is yesterday. I took it because there were so many squirrels under the feeders. The temperature was a very balmy 55 degrees F.
Ten hungry squirrels, and, at the top of the picture, just at the edge of the snow, one bright red cardinal.
But, that was yesterday. The wind picked up last night and it blew winter back in. Today, it's 18 degrees F outside. The yard is littered with small branches, but, luckily, nothing big came down. The road is slick with a light glaze of snow.
The feeders have been deserted, except for these lovely Mallard ladies, who flew in looking for something to eat.
Though, you know, I'm wondering if these are Mallards? They're very dark, and the head on the one that's looking around is darker. I wonder if these could be American Black Ducks? They're very similar in shape and size to Mallards, and often interbreed. Wouldn't that be exciting?
16 comments:
Hi Louise!! One thing about squirrels is that they always have friends, don't they? But you must have some really 'good eats' for there to be so many! Cold here in VA today...Winter is hanging on here too! Enjoy your day, stay warm!!
Sorry you've got a freeze and snow coming back in. I love all your squirrels and ducks. Someone else posted a photo today and said "My guess this is a Black Duck" and it looked a lot like the darker one you have here. Neat!
I LOVE THE PICTURES FROM YOUR BACK WINDOW!!! Please do not stop! You are NOT boring!!!!!
No clue if these are Black Ducks or hen Mallards.
Love the squirrels!
Sorry it got so cold for you, but old man Winter is not done with us yet.
hi louise, sorry you have crappy weather back. i never saw a black duck and they seem tame! my mallards squawk and fly away if i get too close to the pond.
Never seen so many squirrels in one go ! love the view out of your window- you see so much wildlife-and what a variety !
What a difference a day makes! They are a little darker than the Mallards from around here.
I think you're right. Check Cornell labs for a duck ID. Too bad about the return of winter. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
I love your rear window pics too. And I actually love your entire neighborhood. It sort of reminds of when I lived in Princeton, NJ when I was young. Majestic tree lines streets with large colonial homes, etc. Well, you know me, I know nothing about ducks!--Inger
It's snowed and snowed and snowed down here today! We have at least Ting-a-Ling level of new snow!
OH MY CATS...WHAT IN THE WORLD HAPPENED TO YOUR WEATHER OVERNIGHT.
MOM AND I TRIED TO BLOW LOTS OF HOT AIR UP YOUR WAY...I BET IT STOPPED IN THE BIG APPLE FOR SOME FUN.
HUGS MADI AND MOM
I am fascinated by the come and go of your snow.
not sure about the ducks ABD is totally foreign to me, it would be a tough call dark body to grayish neck and throat( with streaks) with more olive than yellow bill. Subtle stuff.
I've sent the picture of the ducks off to the Cornell Ornithology Labs. Let's see if they answer me. If they do, I'll let you all know.
Love the Black Ducks, they are tame as the Mallards, it seems. The squirrels, do you have a few? Wow!
BlessYourHeart
Boring? No way! We have few trees and almost no bird-feeder type birds, so it's an absolute treat to see yours. I thank you for sharing your window with me.
I'm having a terrible time with my slow internet and I can't figure out if I actually left a comment last night before I gave up on it or if I only thought the comment :) Please delete one of them if this is my second one.
I really can't get over your squirrels. I didn't think that any squirrels got along that well - I thought that they were all like our crazy territorial squirrels (who eat internet wires).
Your ducks are cool. I'll be interested to hear what Cornell thinks, if they reply.
We've got the freeze and snow back again too! Fine with me... it's the time of year for it!
Without seeing their wings -- the blue patch they have -- I can't say whether they are Mallards or Black Ducks. The Mallard has a blue patch with white lines on each side of the blue, not so on the Am. Black Duck. They have just the blue: http://goo.gl/js9Bh
Mallard wing: http://goo.gl/nfrYp
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