eagle nest, January

The eagle nest near the pond is again claimed as home for a pair of Bald Eagles Haliaeetus leucocephalus. One was in the nest for a while before this, probably rearranging sticks to her liking in preparation to lay eggs.

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)

hooded mergansers

Late on this balmy Spring day, a pair of Hooded Mergansers landed on the pond. They might be migrating, needing a place to stop and rest. We watched them paddle around a bit near the far shoreline. As the sunlight dimmed, the turtles who spent the afternoon warming themselves on the rocks started swimming back into the pond. Neither species seemed to be bothered by the other. This turtle sat comfortably with the ducks for a long time, each enjoying the end of winter.

The Tree Swallow pair return to the branch over the pond every day.  When she is in the nestbox, he sits on the branch to keep watch on her and their eggs.  Sometimes she joins him there. They can survey their territory, chase away intruders, and spy food items flying by.  Or, just sit close together.  On occasion, he sings to her.  She has been incubating eggs for 11 days.  They will hatch any day.

emerged

We have been watching the cocoon since it was re-attached to a willow stem two days ago.  Today the Polyphemus silk moth Antheraea polyphemus emerged.  This adult will live 3 or 4 days. She will not hunt or feed, only seek a mate in her short existence in this form. The life cycle will start again when she lays eggs; the eggs will hatch caterpillars that will eventually cocoon to become as handsome as this adult.  Look closely -- the 'eye spots' are as transparent in real life as they look!

Tree Swallow pairing

Several Tree Swallows, Tachycineta bicolor, are flying around above the pond, estimating the area as a food resource.  They also checked in to the two nestboxes here.  We think they approve, signaled by them placing a few grasses in the boxes.

Mallard bath

These two Mallards are cleaning up.
Each duck dips the front of her or his body into the pond and splashes water on the rest of their body.  Ducks' feathers make them buoyant so they can roll, rock, shake, and wiggle their tail and still stay afloat.

mates

Northern Cardinals often offer food tidbits to a prospective mate.