Among old waterfowl friends who have returned this year, we still have Honey (who is here for her sixth year, haaving come back to molt), and this morning Frisky the wood duck (Aix sponsa) showed up. This is the third year he’s been here, presumably after he’s helped rear a brood. He’s just beginning his molt.
How do I know it’s Frisky? First, when I tossed him a few food pellets he immediately went for them. The first year (this is true of many ducks) they have to learn that a pellet is food, which can take from five minutes to a day. Frisky took to them without hesitation.
Second, he’s sitting on his “Sacred Knob”: the knees of the Bald Cypress on the South Duck Island. I don’t know how long he’ll be here, so I took a few pictures this morning in the dim light. I do hope he stays through his entire molt, when he develops his most spectacular colors.
Frisky this morning:
He’s a bit tired. . .
Here’s Frisky from two years ago after his molt; he was in full splendor (and sitting on his knob)
A head shot. You can see why wood ducks are America’s most beautiful ducks:
Frisky nuzzling Ruth, his girlfriend at the time. She took off before he did, leaving him bereft:
The gorgeous shot of him on his knob looks like he was painted by an impressionist painter.
He’s a beauty.
Yay! Great to hear some good news.
Years ago, I was in a London park, watching ducks from a small bridge. Standing near me was a couple from Eastern Europe. When the woman saw a male wood duck, she figuratively exploded with joy. Apparently she had never seen one of these gorgeous creatures before. Her enthusiasm was contagious, for the bridge was soon crowded with those who shared her enthusiasm. It was lovely moment that stays with me decades later.
Excellent news! Frisky is duck chic.
What a handsome bird he is! I hope we get to see many more pictures of him; he’s beautiful.
They are boootiful…
And appear so proud! Thank you for sending us the pictures. Another feel-good day!
Wonderful… wonderful to see the Frisky doing his Dali poses.
Frisky looks like a specific kind of Wood Duck – a breed, perhaps. I’ll have to check the Avise Sunday photos…
I believe there’s only one species.
Here is a John Avise photo of a Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) :
https://whyevolutionistrue.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/6-Wood-Duck-Aix-sponsa.jpg
From this RWP entry :
https://whyevolutionistrue.com/2021/05/02/readers-wildlife-photos-1291/