One morning a few days ago a Great Blue Heron was perched on the railing of the bridge at the east side of the main pond, eyeing something below. As I approached, the heron flew off. When I crossed the bridge, a hen Mallards and her brood of very young ducklings swam underneath. In the previous week two new Mallard families, both with nine ducklings, had appeared. Great Blue Herons are known to prey on ducklings but, after careful counting, all nine floating fluff balls were still there.
The next morning, while looking for a singing Red-winged Blackbird at the south end of the pond, I heard a squawk coming from behind some reeds. Out flew a Great Blue Heron vigorously pursued by a female Mallard. I know that nature is red in tooth and claw, but I must admit I was was rooting for the under-duck.
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| Mallard hen with very young ducklings, likely only a day or two old. |
The next morning, while looking for a singing Red-winged Blackbird at the south end of the pond, I heard a squawk coming from behind some reeds. Out flew a Great Blue Heron vigorously pursued by a female Mallard. I know that nature is red in tooth and claw, but I must admit I was was rooting for the under-duck.
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