mallard twins and lone goose

In June, a Mallard mama brought her 6 newly-hatched ducklings to the water (see 6/27/2021).  A few weeks went by, and only 2 ducklings remained with the adult. We watched as they became more independent each day, no longer swimming so close to her.  Eventually, the mama would leave them to feed alone since they knew to hide among the grasses. She would hide herself from predators because she was molting. So we only saw her every few days with them. We called the two ducklings the 'twins'.

(pix above: twins in July with Mallard mama)

One day in August, a Canada Goose appeared on the pond. It glided on the water, showing off its newly molted feathers. But it stayed here day after day, feeding with and hanging close to the twins. All of them seemed to be comfortable with each others' company. All seemed healthy and happy on the quiet pond with plenty to eat, overhanging grasses and reeds to hide in, and rocks to sit on for sunny naps. They dabbled for food in the water together. Even the mama mallard seemed okay with the goose.

We puzzled why the goose was here. According to research, Canada Geese mate for life. If one loses a mate, it may stay alone. A lone female may help other families herd and raise their young.  I like to think this was a female goose who lost her mate; maybe she wanted to help the mallard ducklings since their mama was vulnerable to predators while growing new feathers. She stayed until the twins grew their wing feathers and muscles strong enough to fly out from the pond.  She disappeared from pond a day after the mallards departed, at the end of August.

(pix below: twins in August with lone goose)

blooming water plantain

This summer, scant rain fell in July and August. The pond suffered lower water levels as each day passed.  

Eventually, some aquatic plants that grow at the edge of the pond stood in mud rather than in shallow water. 

But the Northern Water Plantain Alisma triviale thrived despite the drought.  It sent up stems more than 2 feet high on which many whorls of white flowers opened, each about 1/4" across.

strong stem

The strong stiff stems of Ironweed are known for proudly holding flowers, pollen, and nectar above the other native plants. Butterflies, bees, and other insects find Vernonia fasciculate, ‘Prairie' or ‘Common' Ironweed plants, a source of nourishment.  This plant also helps filter water that percolates back into the soil. That means less toxins in water that recharges the groundwater aquifers.

Ironweed is one of a few host plants for American Painted Lady butterfly. ‘Host plants’ are those that the butterfly lives on, lays eggs on, and their larvae are sustained by.

See also the post on 8-21-2020 

blue lobelia

Blue Lobelia, a native perennial, started blooming several weeks ago in the wetland around the pond.  Each spike of flowers opens from the bottom up.  This plant Lobelia siphilitica is related to the intense red Cardinal Flower Lobelia siphilitica.  In fact, sometimes Blue Lobelia is called  Blue Cardinal Flower.  It should bloom until frost, now that we received some rain after a dry summer. 

arrowhead blooming

 

Among the plants along the shore of the pond, Arrowhead Sagittaria latifolia plants hold their leaves pointing skyward above the water.

This week, we noticed they are blooming with white, 3-petaled flowers held up above the leaves on strong branched stems. 

Each flower is about 1" across.

This variety is specifically Broadleaved Arrowhead; also called 'Duck Potato' since it is a perennial plant that forms food-storing tubers as roots. 

sneezeweed - yellow blooms

 

small turtle, big turtle

The turtles are practicing balancing rocks today.

Or, the big one coaxed the small one to help it hold a pose. 

hummingbird 2021

 

The twig hanging over the water is a favorite perch for birds.  

This Ruby-throated Hummingbird sits on the twig to rest on her way to the Lonicera blooming nearby.

bugs by the pond

If you would walk around this pond today, you might see many insects on the flowers.  

Along with searching for a meal, they also carry pollen from plant to plant. Pollen allows the plants to set seeds and reproduce more plants of the same kind.

Here, a Leatherwing on Boneset flowers. This insect also eats eggs and larvae of other insects.

Below, a Ladybug sits on milkweed flowers.  Ladybugs eat aphids, scale insects, and other plant pests.

 

blue vervain

Blue Vervain Verbena hastata blooms among the green grasses and rushes around the pond.  

It likes wet feet, so grows close to the water.  

The flowers open slowly over several weeks from the bottom up on a cluster of stems.
 

monarch butterfly

Last year, a few milkweed plants were growing happily in the marsh.  This year, more plants of Swamp Milkweed Asclepias incarnata are evident all around the pond. Yay for Monarch butterflies!

maltese cross

 A volunteer plant in the area around the pond - - Maltese Cross.

Its really red flowers are welcome among all the purple, white, and yellow.

It has naturalized in some parts of Minnesota. It can be found along roadsides and other disturbed areas, as well as open woodlands, in the northern United States and Canada.

convivial ducks

This summer has been very scant on rainfall so far.  The pond water level is currently low, and there is plenty of algae floating.  But the rocks are always good places for sharing the sunshine.  Female Mallard and Hooded Merganser have raised their young broods here, and shared the big rock today.

mountain mint

Mountain Mint Pycnanthemum virginianum  is blooming in the marsh around the pond.  

It offers very fragrant leaves and many small flowers that attract bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, and beetles.

evening primrose

The flowers of Evening Primrose Oenothera biennis close in the daytime when sunlight would heat them, and open later when dusk falls.

This plant is food for several butterfly and moth species larvae.

The seed pods that form along the stem are an interesting shape and structure, especially when dried.

Oenothera species are 'roadside' plants -- they grow well in disturbed soil like along railways, roads, and waste areas.

ladybug on milkweed

royal catchfly

 

Royal Catchfly Silene regia makes its bright red flowers stand out among the white and purple wildflowers now blooming. 

This family of plants was named 'catchfly' because it has a sticky seed pod behind the flower.  Little flies, gnats, and other tiny insects get stuck on the sticky pod or stem.

Butterflies also pollinate this wildflower.

mulleins

Last year, only one Mullein Verbascum thapsus plant bloomed in the riparian area.  This year, several have sent their tall blooming shoots up among the grasses and rushes. This large one is sending out branches. It is very hairy plant and has many common names alluding to that characteristic - - 'wooly' 'feltwort' -- 'old man's blanket'. Mullein derives from and French word meaning soft.  

Note: This is a non-native plant that can compete with native wildflowers.  Letting it grow here will reduce the good quality wildlife habitat in the natural wetland around our pond.  We will be removing its seed heads to prevent proliferation.

barn swallows

 

Barn Swallows hunt over the pond, where they catch flying insects mid-air. To do this efficiently, they fly with their wide beaks open.  

This pair found a good amount of food here, and decided to make their nest nearby. They gathered mud from the shore to paste pieces of grasses to a vertical surface in a barn, outbuilding, or nearby structure.

When their eggs hatch, the pond area will be a resource for mosquitoes and other flying insects to feed to their chicks.

white wildflowers

Sitting near the pond, one can gaze out at flowering plants among the green grasses, rushes, and reeds.  Mountain Mint, Swamp Milkweed, and Queen Anne's Lace are among the ones blooming now. 

yellow loosestrife

Small yellow wildflowers, brightening the green grasses and rushes around the pond now, are River Loosestrife Lysimachia hybrida, or Lowland Yellow Loosestrife. This plant bloomed last year, and came back stronger with more stems this season.  Lysmachias produce floral oil rather than nectar.  These plants are also pollen hosts for Macropis bees; the bees specialize in using a mixture of pollen and floral oil to produce offspring.  read more at U of MN Extension 

damselfly

 

Perched on the windowsill.  Looking in at us.

swamp milkweed and vervain

 

gleeful painted turtle

The painted turtles who live in the pond love to sit in the sun, especially on rocks near the water. There, each can enjoy the warmth and (in case of danger) slip into the water to hide if needed. This young little critter, about 4 inches long, looked so gleeful today with its feet extended out to catch as much sunshine as possible.

new Mallards, second clutch

Mallard female has been hiding her second clutch of eggs near the pond among grasses.  Today she led all 6 hatched ducklings to the pond, where they paddled around and started to feed.  They can eat seeds, stems, and roots of many different plants; also aquatic invertebrates such as worms, beetles, dragonflies, or insect larvae.