All the garden beds are finally bare of snow! Just barely. :) I had to share that little note just because it's exciting to me at this time of year.
Anyway, you've probably seen a lot of different interesting wildlife around the tiny house here if you've followed life around here for any length of time. But the other day I glanced out the window and saw something I've never seen here in our clearing before! Not actually an uncommon creature. In fact much more common than many of the other things like wolves and mountain lions that have walked by. But in six years of living here,
this is something I've never seen outside our house.
A pair of mallard ducks decided to move in! I have no idea why. They are not uncommon in the greater area and Burley and I often see them when we walk along the rivers and creeks. But why this pair decided to move into our wooded little clearing for now, I haven't the foggiest idea.
They waddled and poked around the driveway, pecked around under the feeders, checked out the wood pile, and so on. Then left for a bit. Then came back. And did that a few more times. They've come back every day for the past bit now. Burley has been very good at leaving them alone though he's curious about them and they are a bit suspicious of him. And me. Though they mostly just sit up tall and quack at us without much desire to run off. 😀
Pretty couple aren't they? I'll be really curious to see if they continue to hang out or just disappear again. Either way it's been fun to watch them and listen to their conversational quacky murmurs to each other. Have you had any new visitors to your area recently?
Sounds like you'll be seeing ducklings too! What fun.🌞🍀
ReplyDeleteThat would be neat!
DeleteMy son and I were on our way to town this past weekend when I saw this animal just casually sitting in the roadway. I was still a good distance away so I started slowing and after getting close to it it took off running. It was a fox! Again like you, their not uncommon in our area but seeing it sitting there like that was unusual.
ReplyDeleteI know you have a creek down the hill, but it has always surprised me that you have moose in your yard, let alone ducks. I've often wondered why they are on a mountainside instead of in a lake or pond.
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of moose in the mountains here, but yeah the ducks up here were something new for me!
DeleteI grew up around mallards. They don't always figure out an easy route to water where they nest--LOL! But they will head straight for the water with the babies. We had one that made a nest in the small enclosed high school courtyard (over 50 years ago). Once all the little ones had hatched the janitor and a few of the teachers had to open the door and guide her and the babies out of the school and across the street to the lake. I lived close to the school and helped a couple years stopping traffic on the road so they could cross. She couldn't have gotten her brood to the lake without humans, but no predators could get to her nest. Mallards have a special place in my heart.
ReplyDeleteI saw a killdeer walking down the sidewalk between our apartment complexes right here in town. Haven't seen one of those since I was a kid! They live in the prairie land and are not seen in town, so it was quite a treat to watch one scurry and stop, scurry and stop down the sidewalk.
Aww, so glad you guys could get them there safely!
DeleteHi, Ariel, a gorgeous red fox ran through my yard. His fur coat, face and tail were absolutely beautiful. I'd seen many in the distance in years past, but this one was fairly close and paused for a moment and looked my way as I moved closer to the window in hopes of getting a picture with my cell phone, but he left before I could get to the camera app. Seeing wildlife always makes my day! Catz
ReplyDeleteAren't the glimpses of other lives like that just amazing?
DeleteI'm wondering how the wire fabric under your garden beds is holding up. I saw you video where you placed them to keep gophers and other underground varmints from eating your garlic. Have they rusted much, if any? I have gophers and want to try it this year.
ReplyDeleteIt's galvanized hardware cloth and so far it still looks like new. Being underground it will eventually start to break down, but it should be a while. Best wishes with your garden!
DeleteSince the need to stay home we have seen deer walking along the streets and sun bathing in the parks. It is so lovely to see.
ReplyDeleteI get a pair of mallards here at my little yard every February. I toss them some corn. They're a little skittish at first but after a couple weeks, they get used to me & if I don't toss corn, they waddle up to the house & check stuff out under my bird feeders. They're the happiest down by my creek. I try to stay on schedule feeding because the creek is their comfort zone...their little aqua-highway. They come year after year & I look forward to it every year.
ReplyDeleteAww, that's lovely!
DeleteThat is neat to have some large birds stay for awhile. Are they still there? Does Burley bark or chase them like he does with the small birds?
ReplyDeleteWe've worked on that things like grouse and ducks are not to be chased since he was little since I hope to have some one day. He's pretty good about it.
DeleteHi Ariel I had a coon lady come for water. She knocked my pink watering can over and was licking up the water. oh my heart she needed it. So I tapped on my window and she looked up and got on hind legs and just looked me in the eyes. She was about four feet away through the glass and I sang a song to her and she moved her head around looked me in the eyes and drank and I felt so happy what a cute little scene. She was screeching right before that at something and I shut my window so my cat would not go hang out with her. I’m not naive. 😃
ReplyDeleteWhat a neat moment!
DeleteAriel, they know that you have one of the most animal friendly residents, in that part of the country. With all of the bird feeders and birds that you have in your yard, they know that some food and safety are right in your yard. Good to see and thanks for sharing this with us. I hope that you can capture some more curious animal visitors, on your game camera's as well, one of these day's. Thanks You: Ariel & Burley
ReplyDeleteThe birds sure are happy around here! And they thank you for helping keep their feeders full. Recently all the cameras have picked up are lots of foxes and some deer, moose, and elk. I generally see less of the other stuff in the summers as many animals move higher into the mountains as the snow recedes.
DeleteThey are so pretty, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletePS just saw the YouTube on your house. I think it is just fantastic.
Wish you all the best
Aww thank you!
DeleteAlthough I haven't seen any this year, last spring I had a trio (two males and a female) in my yard for a few days. They just cracked me up with their jibber-jabber to each other. They were in my driveway one day when I got home from work and they just went about their business as I watched them. Such pretty birds - they just bring a smile to me every time I see them! Hope your little friends stick around for a while.
ReplyDeleteLovely! Hopefully they come back to visit some day.
Deleteyou need to get back on youtube. It's been long enough. I need you back!
ReplyDeleteI have lots of plans! Just too busy with several other things at the moment. Hopefully there will be lots more videos some time and some where.
DeleteI just happy to see Cardinals at my bird feeders this year.
ReplyDeleteThey are beautiful birds! Sadly they don't live around here so I never get to see them anymore.
DeleteHi Ariel: Just a short comment; Its the female Mallard that chooses the nest sight as far as I know. So it would seem you have been chosen. Have a blessed day both you and Burley. Enjoy your spring and Happy Gardening.
ReplyDeleteThey stuck around for a few days, but then must have decided they liked somewhere else better. I was a little sad to see them go. Thank you!
DeleteP/S didn't see the comment as box Sorry about that. Again Happy Gardening. I will figure this out and not comment as unknown.
ReplyDelete:)
DeleteI suppose there's spilled seeds under the feeders. You might try leaving more there purposely to encourage them..
ReplyDeleteThere are always some under there. This pair hung out for a few days and then moved on and I haven't seen them since.
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