Many ducks benefit by the recent rains, eating and resting at the ponds that now have water. Sneaking up closer to the ducks, I managed to take a few pictures of them that now serve as a reminder to me of a wonderful experience watching them and looking at the ponds survive a drought.
In addition to the ducks shown below, I spotted four Black-bellied Whistling ducks, Red-headed ducks, Killdeer, Lesser Yellowlegs, Loggerhead shrikes, Mockingbirds, Meadowlarks, Goldfinches, Bluebirds, Kestrel, a large flock of Canada geese overhead, White-crowned sparrows, Lark sparrows, and what so far I think were Song sparrows.
An Olive-sided flycatcher catching insects that float on the surface.
Female Bufflehead.
Male and female Buffleheads.
Gadwall appearing comfortable with me sitting in the brush watching her.
A Green-winged Teal kept an eye on me, ready to launch if I moved. I held my breath.
Ring-necked ducks viewed through branches around the pond. This pond is surrounded by thick brush, and though it provides a nice cover, I have to wait for the ducks to float to just the right spots.
Northern Shoveler.
A large group of shovelers and teals rested on the surface and in the grasses that had grown tall when the pond dried.
