
Our curiously mild weather has the ducks thinking it is Spring. There is one little duckling being guarded by an entire flock of Muscovy ducks. Mom and Dad are probably a young breeding pair who don’t remember that we had an ice storm last February. All the ducks have excellent shelter in the roots of some large trees. They are guarding her for another reason…
As I approached the ducks, I could hear the crows mobbing so I looked for a predator and found one. This is a beautiful Cooper’s Hawk who was just minding his own business but was not welcome. I was shooting into the sun so couldn’t get a clear image of him. The silhouette is quite effective at giving a sinister feel.
By contrast, this lovely pair of Egyptian Geese were utterly chill and refused to move for me. Our relationship has progressed. They are new to the pond and last week they hissed (cussed in Arabic) at me. After a very long conversation, they have decided I am safe.
I found a new visitor last week – a nutria. She allowed me to come really close and have a good look at her thick coat and long tail. They are an invasive species from Latin America and look like little capybaras or beavers. Usually the Park Ranger removes them so that they don’t damage the integrity of the containment pond – they burrow extensively. The one time that I have seen them up close and I didn’t have my camera! C’est La Vie…
Image of Nutria, courtesy of Pixabay
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Right back at you! 💗
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I hope the duckling will be safe! And I had no idea that Egyptian Geese had made it to North America. They spread from Africa to Europe, where I have seen them before (they are called Nilgans in German). Somebody probably imported them as pet geese.
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I hope so too! The Egyptian Geese were brought in as ornamental birds but are very common down here especially on golf courses. America is full of immigrants…😉
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So true!
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😊
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Lucky you to see a nutria up close.
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Not everyone would agree, Peggy! Some folks think they are giant rats. 🐀
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I never liked crows until I had chickens in my yard. Any red tail or coopers that approached my coop were quickly annoyed enough by the crows to leave the area.
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I like to think of the crows as the bodyguards of the birdy world with Matrix outfits!
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Hi Kerry,
I didn’t even know what a nutria look like. How can you tell it apart from the others? is it the tail? It does look like a rat.
Great nature pictures!
Wishing you a great weekend! ♥♥
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Hi Ana – they really look like beavers but have the ratty tail. Thank you and have a great weekend! K x
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Great pictures!
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Thank you!!
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Those Egyptian Geese look so majestic!
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I will tell them that when I see them next! 👑
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🙂
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Wishing the little duckling luck. It seems she has a community caring for her. I wasn’t familiar with the nutria. Nice walk in nature with you this morning.
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Thank you very much, Ruth!
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Ah, you do have an affinity with nature Kerry. I guess I overlook the living creatures in favour of the wider landscape, tracks and trails, echoes of the past. At least I’ve resolved never again to treat living things as food.
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Thank you, Roy. You would enjoy the company of the nutria – she is the only vegan of the bunch!
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Awww
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Glad you liked it! K x
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