If you’ve visited this blog before, you probably know I’m a huge fan of Wood Ducks, by far the most colourful waterfowl we see here. As this shot from last fall shows, each adult in a pair has quite distinctive and different colouring as shown below
(Click any image to enlarge it in a new tab):
This pair, surprisingly, were photographed on November 26 in Teal Pond, Thomson Marsh, Kelowna, BC.
Relatively rarely, however, have I seen or photographed them in the Marsh. More often I see them in one or both of the Belmont Ponds that are only a couple of hundred metres from home. And every Spring and Fall they are a highlight of the season for me and many others who may not really be “birders” in the usual sense.
Here are some highlights of the small band that visited us from March into May 2018. Most of the shots that follow are from the end of March and early April. At the end of this post, however, there’s something special — a first for my observations in this location….
My first glimpse of the WODUs’ return happened in Thomson Marsh, on the Ides of March, before all the ice was gone there or on Belmont Ponds: unexpected — and exciting:
So great to see them here again at the beginning of Spring. They would stick around long enough (at least she would) to raise a brood into the summer of 2018.On March 15, I photographed this fella and wrote on my Flickr page, “Large Belmont Pond, Kelowna, BC. Record shot only. This fella was following his mate, more hunched up than usual for a drake…. Looks a little dazed, or is that dazzled…? Here we are in mid-March. The snow is 85% gone, and Thomson Marsh again is ice free. Michaelbrook is only 50% thawed, but will come along quickly now. The larger Belmont Pond is 80% ice free (it thawed suddenly over two days, and will be all gone the day after tomorrow). Today, we had two pairs of WODUs, one pair of COGOs, a couple of pairs of Mallards, and, of course, Ralph, the GBHE…. It really feels as if Spring has arrived at last — the first Violet Green Swallows over the marshes, and even a couple checking out the foundation wall of our condo despite the new townhouses crowded onto the old vacant lot over which they used to cruise after filling up on insects over Belmont Ponds. Should know in a few days if they’re prepared to adapt to the changed environment or not. Also saw a flock of waxwings, possibly CEWAs flying in and around the TM Raptor tree. The BOWAs are still hanging around Mission Creek, and should be checking out soon….
Better images followed:
For several days, this pair seemed content to spend an inordinate amount of time doing just this!
The lady of this species is often overshadowed by her more colourful mate. Here’s a set from March 20 to address that oversight…
Click any of the images below to view it fully & enlarged in a separate window….
WODU female of Belmont -01
WODU female of Belmont -02
WODU female of Belmont -03
WODU female of Belmont -04
In habitat….
Surreal….
March 25: Of course, the drake also demands his due….There were a couple of pairs around, but only one stayed. The drakes’ duck-tail ‘dos were slightly different…. Not sure that’s an important detail, however….March 28: “Cross this line & enter a whole new dimension of time and space!”
Click either image below to view it fully & enlarged in a separate window…. (from March 28 also)
Light… and…
Shadow. Two shots, same time of day, only seconds apart….
But there was a little trouble brewing in Pond City. A single female was attempting to turn one pair into a threesome. Ironically(?), it was the drake that put an end to it. In the process, our “unloved duck” lost a few head feathers….
The duck on the left in the photo attempted to ingratiate herself into the family…But the drake was having none of it….Hester has a haircut….While I probably don’t need any more Wood Duck shots, couldn’t resist trying to create something more artistic. Will leave viewers to decide if I succeeded….I was still trying as with this natural vignetted shot through the Cattails on the south end of the larger Belmont pond….
And, now we’ll end this saga from Spring 2018 with this set all from April 20 dealing with a recurring theme in my Belmont photos — Wood Ducks minding turtles — starring William Wodu and a trio of Western Painted turtles,
Melbert on the left end, Malcomb in the middle and Mini-Mickey….. Click images to enlarge in a new tab.
“I’ll be with ya in a moment, better self, but bear with me for a few minutes; got stuck with Turtle-minding duty again!”
“Okay, guys, look this way, and I’ll show you a trick y’all might wanna try some time (hee-hee; that’d be the day!)…. Guys, guys??
“Bluddy little pancake! I’m doing m’best and he’s still all curled up like I’m gonna try to eat ‘im or sumthin’!”
“You know, Melbert, we could at least take a look, humour him a little, doncha think? I mean, he is trying his best!”
M-M:”Geez, Mom, do I hafta?” WW: “Well! If that’s how you feel about it, entertain yerself, ya little grorange pancake!”
“Well, thank goodness that’s over! Now for a nice sitz bath. You might say this is like having your lake and logging in, too!”
Some of you have already seen a large chunk of my Wood Ducks collection on the About this blog page that you’ve accessed from the banner at the top of the website! But, having been obsessed with these gorgeous waterfowl for nearly three decades, and photographing them for several years, now, I have more I’d like to share.
So, fotos first; discussion delivered at de end…
From Belmont Pond 2017: if images show a icon, click to enlarge in a new tab….
Wilbur Woodie of Belmont Pond…and Wilma Woodie….
Caught them canoodling (WODU- style) recently in the smaller Belmont Pond. One of these photos was very well received on Flickr (Affectionate Wood Ducks).
Click on any photo in the cluster to enlarge all of ’em. Once enlarged, you can scroll down in a photo and click View Full Size to enlarge that image in a new tab…. Close the cluster by clicking the small x in top right corner of enlarged photos.
“Can you speak up a bit? I can hardly hear you!”
“You want to what?? Here? Now?”
“I’m thinking; I’m thinking….”
“Okay! Great idea! But let’s go back under the bridge where it’s more private….”
Single shots of Wilbur, 2017:
Wilbur in Golden Pond – 1
Belmont Pond, Kelowna, BC.
Wilbur blue….
And from years past, other WODUs I have known:
From Burnaby Lake, 2016:
Juvenile WODU, Piper Spit, Burnaby Lake, BC.
Juvenile WODU, Piper Spit, Burnaby Lake, BC.
Juvenile WODU, Piper Spit, Burnaby Lake, BC.
From Belmont Pond, 2016, a photo with a twist…taken on a very calm day!
Giggle if you get this!
WODU-lings, Burnaby Lake, 2016:
“Mom’s gonna be REAL mad if you get us lost, Winki!
There are more images, but that’s enough for now. Here’s a little background on these wonderful Wood Ducks from a couple of Internet sources.
“Beautiful and unique, this duck of woodland ponds and river swamps has no close relatives, except for the Mandarin Duck of eastern Asia. Abundant in eastern North America in Audubon’s time, the Wood Duck population declined seriously during the late 19th century because of hunting and loss of nesting sites [due to cutting of large trees, combined with hunting pressure]. Its recovery to healthy numbers was an early triumph of wildlife management. Legal protection and provision of nest boxes helped recovery; many thousands of nest boxes now occupied by Wood Ducks in U.S. and southern Canada. In recent years, apparently has been expanding range in north and west.”
“These birds live in wooded swamps, where they nest in holes in trees or in nest boxes put up around lake margins. They are one of the few duck species equipped with strong claws that can grip bark and perch on branches.
Cool Facts
Natural cavities for nesting are scarce, and the Wood Duck readily uses nest boxes provided for it. If nest boxes are placed too close together, many females lay eggs in the nests of other females.
The Wood Duck nests in trees near water, sometimes directly over water, but other times over a mile away. After hatching, the ducklings jump down from the nest tree and make their way to water. The mother calls them to her, but does not help them in any way. The ducklings may jump from heights of over 50 feet without injury.
Wood Ducks pair up in January, and most birds arriving at the breeding grounds in the spring are already paired. The Wood Duck is the only North American duck that regularly produces two broods in one year. [In my observations, however, the male often departs after the brood reaches water, leaving all rearing chores to his mate!]
The oldest recorded Wood Duck was a male and at least 22 years, 6 months old. He had been banded in Oregon and was found in California.
Nesting Facts
Clutch Size: 6–16 eggs
Number of Broods: 1-2
Egg Length: 4.6–6.1 cm (1.8–2.4 in) Egg Width: 3.5–4.2 cm (1.4–1.7 in)
Egg Description: Glossy creamy white to tan. Incubation Period: 28–37 days
Nestling Period: 56–70 days
Condition at Hatching: Chicks hatch alert and with a full coat of down. A day after hatching they leave the nest by jumping out of the entrance.
Nest Description
Nest cavities can have openings as small as 4 inches across, and these may be preferred because they are harder for predators to enter. Wood Ducks sometimes use much larger openings, up to a couple of feet across. Cavity depths are variable; they average about 2 feet deep but in rotten trees can be 15 feet deep (the young use their clawed feet to climb out). Nest boxes of many designs have proved very popular and successful with Wood Ducks*, though plastic nest boxes can overheat in strong sun. The female lines the nest with down feathers she takes from her breast.
*We are waiting to see if the 3 WODU nest boxes installed in Belmont Pond (winter of 2016-7) will be accepted by any of the species that visit the pond this spring.
Nest Placement
Breeding pairs search for nest cavities during early morning. The male stands outside as the female enters and examines the site. They typically choose a tree more than 1 foot and often 2 feet in diameter, with a cavity anywhere from 2–60 feet high (higher sites seem to be preferred). These cavities are typically places where a branch has broken off and the tree’s heartwood has subsequently rotted. Woodpecker cavities are used less frequently. Wood Ducks cannot make their own cavities. The nest tree is normally situated near to or over water, though Wood Ducks will use cavities up to 1.2 miles from water.”
Finally, for those who made it this far, when Nana and I purchased a signed print of Robert Bateman’s wonderful “On the pond — Wood Ducks” (below), I had the chance to ask the artist whether he preferred the Wood Ducks or the Mandarin Ducks that he had done in Asia. I explained that I had seen both in the wild, the latter in Japan in my days in Sapporo. He was eager to discuss for a moment as he was about to head off to Hokkaido and wanted to know if I could tell him anything about the marsh he was headed to. (I could and did, but that’s not the story.)
Robert Bateman “On the Pond —Wood Ducks”
Robert Bateman “Old Willow — Mandarin Pair”
He answered my question without hesitation, partly by avoiding it. He said that “Wood Ducks” was far more memorable because it had become his bête noire — a work he had struggled with off and on for 11 years before he finally declared it was as good as it was ever going to get. The light* was the main issue that he felt he couldn’t quite resolve.
On his affection for Wood Ducks, Bateman has said,
“My admiration does not stop at their appearance. I love the kind of place where they live. I have a soft spot in my heart for swamps with the lushness, the still water, the reflections, the complex light and the abundance of wildlife. Some of my happiest hours have been spent in and around swamps, watching and listening. Perhaps if I am very lucky I will hear a prothonotary warbler. But It is always a thrill to hear the shrill, questioning call of a wood duck as a pair (virtually always a pair) takes off and swiftly, almost miraculously, dashes between the trees and disappears. The glimpse is worth it.”
Now that I’m committed to photography, I believe I know what he means….
The Bateman print hangs in our dining room where we can enjoy it every day!
*In his memoir, Life Sketches (Simon & Shuster Canada, 2015) Bateman discusses light on p.219:
“Light, I tell students, is critical. I love backlit scenes, or scenes lit from the side. I like diffuse light, the kind offered on a cloudy day. I love mist and fog and ambience. But when you paint a scene where there is any kind of light, the key question is this: Where is the light coming from? Every shadow in that painting must be true to the source of light. I tell students: Be a slave, not to the creature you’re depicting, or the feathers on that bird’s body, or the landscape your describing, but to the light source and the form that it reveals.”
Wise words: a challenge I can spend the rest of my days working on….
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birds & musings 