We took the dogs to High Park yesterday morning. We went to check out Grenadier Pond to see who might be on it. No one was on the ice at its southern end, but the open, reedy northern end had a few friendly faces.
The pond, looking west. Wait — who’s that on the water?
Check it out, it’s an American Coot!
Here’s that tight-knit group of Mallards and mega-Mallard mixes who live here all year round. The one in front of them, though…
No upward curl on the tailfeathers, no white on the speculum (shoulder patch), quite a bit darker than the female Mallard… I think we’ve got an American Black Duck here.
This grouping is properly called a raft, but I’d like to call them a duck jam. And you are…?
Ah! Northern Shovelers! You can see the water lapping over Mrs Shoveler’s bill as she wiggles it back and forth to strain tiny food particles.
Farther from shore is another, smaller, raft. Pretty sure they’re…
Yep! Those cute little diving ducks, the Buffleheads! Here’s a male. They’re black and white, but some of the black reflects nice irridescent colours.
Uh-oh. That swan is peeved about being saved till last. Hey, Shovelers, duck!
Posted by lavenderbay 
Posted by lavenderbay 
Posted by lavenderbay 
