Image-of-the-Day by Subject

Image-of-the-Day by Subject

Birds - Ducks Page 1

Image Taken on 21 May 2014 at 12:18 Image of day on 25 Jul 2014

The warmest pond had a scattering of Azure Damselflies laying eggs in the pond weed. The female is on the floating fibre. The segments of the abdomen hinge without any ill-effects.

Ref: 20140725_df2_20140521_1218_351 azure damselflies laying in duck shaped pond (crop)(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image Taken on 29 May 2021 at 02:08 Image of day on 05 Jul 2021

Mum or Dad Badger with 3 youngsters dutifully following. An adult and 2 youngsters seen again later the same night.

Ref: 20210705_bu8_20210529_0208_180 badger adult with 3 youngsters near duck-shaped pond(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image Taken on 11 Apr 2021 at 02:21 Image of day on 07 May 2021

Eight hours later the Ducks are on the water of Round Pond. The Badger spent several minutes watching them.

Ref: 20210507_bu5_20210411_0221_673_sc1 badger on bank watching mallard duck pair on round pond water(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image Taken on 07 Mar 2023 at 20:10 Image of day on 06 Apr 2023

2 nights later we see that the Mallard Duck pair may be regularly spending the night on Round Pond. They are here keeping their distance from a pair of Badgers stopping by for a drink.

Ref: 20230406_bu5_20230307_2010_033_sc1 badger pair on bank of round pond with mallard duck pair on water(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 06 Apr 2015 at 15:57 Image of day on 03 Jun 2015

Cherry Blossom is beautiful en-masse on the trees, and a closer look at the individual flowers does not disappoint.

Ref: 20150603_p10_20150406_1557_366 cherry blossom ne of duck shaped pond (crop 1)(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 24 Jun 2018 at 16:05 Image of day on 09 Aug 2018

This is a Comma Butterfly (the white 'comma' giving it is name just visible on the lower surface of the right wing). This was on Hop Sedge where we now see them most years in the spring/summer. We used to only see them on windfall apples in the orchard in the Autumn.

Ref: 20180809_df3_20180624_1605_025 comma butterfly on hop sedge at duck-shaped pond(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 25 Aug 2017 at 13:36 Image of day on 11 Oct 2017

Out first Darter Dragonfly of 2017 is appropriately a 'Common Darter', here perched on the leaves of the Dogwood that dominates the island of the duck-shaped pond looking for something to hunt and something to mate with.

Ref: 20171011_df3_20170825_1336_004 common darter dragonfly perched on dogwood at duck-shaped pond (orig)(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 09 May 2017 at 17:29 Image of day on 29 Jun 2017

This male Mallard Duck look like it has tried to bring half the pond's duckweed along with it. The Duckweed is not complaining - any pond without the weed will soon gets it first delivery along with assorted tiny creatures and eggs caught up in it.

Ref: 20170629_e64_20170509_1729_057_fb2 duck weed all over breast of mallard duck male(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image Taken on 16 Jul 2014 at 10:59 Image of day on 22 Sep 2014

OK kids - time to line up and go.

Ref: 20140922_df2_20140716_1059_153 7 ducklings preening + mallard duck mother (adjusted crop)(r+mb id@1024).jpg

Image Taken on 23 Nov 2015 at 13:27 Image of day on 02 Jan 2016

This Dunnock finds a sheltered and reasonably safe place to enjoy a short spell of warm sunshine. It is on the remains of a Mallard duck nest box never used as intended by any bird that we know of. It is now on 'Duck' pond island where we moved it after the lack of success at the main pond. By chance you can see it in just the first two images at http://www.moorhen.me.uk/2006_left/2006_left.htm

Ref: 20160102_df3_20151123_1327_013 dunnock on derelict duck nesting box(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 29 Mar 2022 at 23:48 Image of day on 24 Apr 2022

Just before midnight, what we think is a Fox (2 eyes left) watching a Badger foraging along the edge of Round Pond, with a pair of Mallard ducks safely out on the water.

Ref: 20220424_bu5_20220329_2348_309_sc1 fox (q) + badger + mallard duck pair at round pond(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image Taken on 05 Mar 2023 at 00:14 Image of day on 06 Apr 2023

A midnight moment - the fox takes a drink as the pair of Mallard Duck watch from a safe place on the water.

Ref: 20230406_bu5_20230305_0014_042_sc1 fox drinks from round pond as mallard pair keep away(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 25 Apr 2022 at 12:48 Image of day on 01 Jun 2022

Sad event of the week is the death of one of the female Mallard Ducks. Left to right:-

1  12:48  Our last sighting of what may be her, walking over the Woodland site.
2  20:35  A Fox showing excessive interest in the Duck-shaped pond, appearing several
times at irregular intervals.
3  20:51  Probably the same fox walking over Round Mound.
4  21:36  The Fox walks past the camera at the end of the orchard carrying a dead female Mallard Duck.

Five days later we spotted a female Mallard Duck, dutifully followed by 'her' male, entering the main pond by the house. We really have no idea what is going on!

Ref: 20220601_e64_20220425_1248_031_fb2-bu9_2136_061_sc2 fox kills & carries away mallard duck female 1-4 of 4 (montage)(r+mb id@1024).jpg

Image Taken on 14 Mar 2022 at 01:21 Image of day on 13 Apr 2022

This pair of Mallard Ducks seem to spend the night afloat on Round Pond. As the Fox stops for a drink the birds paddle to have the maximum amount of protective water in every direction.

Ref: 20220413_bu5_20220314_0121_273+274+0122_276_sc1 fox on bank of round pond with 2 mallard ducks on the water 1-3 of 3 (montage)(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 05 Apr 2021 at 21:49 Image of day on 07 May 2021

Across the pond we catch a Fox, complete with reflection in the rippling water, looking longingly at the two Mallard Ducks, tantalisingly out of reach.

Ref: 20210507_bu5_20210405_2149_185_sc1 fox on far bank watching mallard pair swimming on round pond(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image Taken on 28 Mar 2021 at 00:51 Image of day on 19 Apr 2021

In the hour after midnight this Mallard duck pair float safely on the water as the Fox passes by on the nightly rounds. We are sure he know that the ducks are there, and that he stands no chance of catching one at the moment.

Ref: 20210419_bu5_20210328_0051_329_sc1 fox walking past mallard duck pair on water(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image Taken on 18 Mar 2023 at 05:58 Image of day on 25 Apr 2023

This Fox walks along the edge of Round pond as the pair of Mallard Ducks keep their distance on the water.
The gap between predator and prey is rather bigger than it look from this angle.

Ref: 20230425_bu5_20230318_0558_055_sc1 fox walks along bank of round pond past mallard duck pair(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 30 Jul 2012 at 20:04 Image of day on 03 Sep 2012

One of our foxes longing for a tasty duck as she swims quietly away!

Ref: 20120903_sg3_20120730_2004_019-21sc1 fox watching mallard duck from edge of round pond 1-3 of 3 (montage)(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image Taken on 21 Apr 2022 at 02:46 Image of day on 14 May 2022

Is the Fox salivating at the thought of a nice bite of Duck?
~~Click~~ Leap and collect?

Ref: 20220514_bu5_20220421_0246_399_sc1 fox watching mallard duck pair(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 11 Aug 2023 at 08:50 Image of day on 06 Oct 2023

Its not really autumn yet but various Fungi have been appearing in many shady corners.

Ref: 20231006_df3_20230811_0850_043 fungi in shade south of duck mound(r+mb id@768).jpg

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