muskrats chasing ducks

As the Mallards swim around the pond, feeding on plants growing at the edge, the muskrats chase the ducks.  The water mammals don't want to share with the birds. Muskrats' burrow or tunnel system is nearby, with an underwater entrance.

mallards showing off

After a month of no ducks on the pond at all, there have been many Mallards feeding and napping here. They are gathering to prepare for their fall migration. Mallards can indeed survive cold weather, but when they can no longer feed on live aquatic plants, insects in the water, or grain in snow-covered fields, it is time to fly south.

Each day in Autumn they search for food around the edge of the pond, nap in the warm sun, or practice their courtship moves. Mallards engage in seasonal monogamy, in which new pair bonds are formed each season. Usually they form these bonds on their wintering grounds.  And with new handsome feathers after molting season, why not show off?

Some of the courtship displays by Mallards are rhythmic head-pumping, signaling interest. Males will show off by pulling both wings and tail up to show off purple-blue wing feathers. Or, the male will raise out of the water, pull his head up, and give a whistle (as above).

storm over pond and river

 

black birds roosting

Flocks of blackbirds gathered to roost for the night in the big cottonwood tree far across the pond.  

Now that birds are finished defending their nesting territories and raising young birds, they begin congregating in really large flocks to feed and protect one another from predators like owls and hawks. The birds gathering may be a mix of Red-winged Blackbirds and Starlings, Cowbirds, and Grackles.

 

sparrow feeding on reed seeds

 

pond lily

How nice to have a pond lily! We anticipated seeing it bloom next season. The little plant was happy in this pond, spreading out its leaves to soak up the sun and give the tuber in the mud oxygen through the underwater stems.  

Then, ducks landed on the pond . . .  and ate the leaves and stems.  We'll see next Spring if they ate the roots too.

mushroom

Shaggy Mane, the white mushrooms that seem to appear overnight when we have cool damp weather.  Also called "Lawyers Wig", both names invoke the hairy scales its botanical name defines Coprinus comatus (coma is 'hair').