On Sunday afternoon I went to the pantry to get my after-lunch-square-of-chocolate only to discover that there was none. This is serious! So Tim and I decided to walk to the store via a loop around Rithet's Bog.
Grey skies, drizzle, frost, or sun make no difference to the mallard ducks who reside at the bog. They paddle around and provide light entertainment for those who stop to watch, as we often do.
Although I know these ducks are dabblers who feed just below the surface of the water, this particular pose reminds me of how I feel some mornings - "it can't be time to wake up yet!"- as I roll over and pull the covers.
The bold bit of blue on this female reminds me of a well-dressed woman in neutrals with that pop of colour that draws the eye.
But who is this? A strange chicken-shaped bird I'd never seen before. He looked a little odd among the ducks. My trusty guide book informed me that this is an American Coot who likes hanging around with the mallards. He reminded me of a teenage boy whose feet grew faster than the rest of him.
Two male mallards engaged in a squabble and a furious chase around the pond that raised great splashes of water.
More hawthorn berries. The water droplets are indicative of the moisture in the air - rain fell during the night, but none during the day.
I did get my chocolate (Lindt 70%) and very much enjoyed it with a cup of tea later in the afternoon.
Great pictures and I like your thought on the pop of blue on the female!! Glad you enjoyed your chocolate as well!!
ReplyDeleteNow that's a nice walk to buy chocolate!
ReplyDeleteAlways sensible to keep chocolate in the cupboard...but where was the missing square?!
ReplyDeleteGreat duck images! A lovely walk and then a cup of tea with chocolate....pure bliss!
ReplyDeleteJ'avais reéllement besoin de tous cette beauté Lorrie. Et simplicité. Merci.
ReplyDeletexo
Heather
A lovely post! Great photos and very enjoyable texts.
ReplyDeleteAfter-lunch chocolate is a necessity.
A lovely trip and images along the way to get some chocolate! I admire your strength in just having one square of chocolate!! xx
ReplyDeleteLovely wildlife shots. Love that last one as well. I do like Lindt chocolate as well (especially their milk chocolate).
ReplyDeleteMersad
Mersad Donko Photography
Beautiful shots. My favourite is the way with his head under the water.
ReplyDeleteRosezeeta.
So that's what an American Coot looks like. Somehow I had a different image in mind. Fun photo of the headless duck.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice treat - chocolate and ducks too. The funky looking one is sometimes called a Mud Hen - it is not a duck (you can tell because of the feet) but it can swim. There are hundreds of them on Lake Whatcom all winter long.
ReplyDeleteLorrie, those ducks all have different interesting feet. :-) I'm starting a story blog and wanted to invite you. now using the pseudonym Marnie (formerly Mrs R)
ReplyDeletehttp://wrapping-lavender-with-blue-string.blogspot.com
These are beautiful shots of the ducks, Lorrie. The walk to get chocolate was worth it in more ways than one. ;)
ReplyDeleteReally lovely photos, Lorrie. I get a lot of entertainment out of our free ranging chickens, so I know what you mean about the ducks. They are lovely birds with such beautiful color, even the females.
ReplyDeleteGlad you got your chocolate!
Deanna
And you and your camera thought of us while you were walking for chocolate -- win-win! ;-)
ReplyDeleteChocolate and entertainment! That's what I call a successful trip! :)
ReplyDeleteLovely photos Lorrie and a walk to burn off the chocolate calories... Great idea !!!
ReplyDeleteDarn...if only you had posted this a few days earlier, I would have been informed enough to answer the Jeopardy question of the name for ducks who ducks who feed just below the surface of the water...dabblers!!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos, Lorrie & I couldn't agree more on the importance of an after lunch bite of chocolate. Keeps me awake if I have even a wee bit of it closer to bedtime, so lunch it is!!
Looks like a lovely walk. I walk in a park where there is a duck pond daily. They are such happy birds to watch. The dampness sounds so lovely. Dew always refreshes me. We have had foggy days here. Chocolate and tea sounds good. xxo
ReplyDeleteOh! Yes, these cold, dark mornings and the desire to roll over and pull up the covers - have succumbed a few times! Lovely photos and a nice walk to the store.
ReplyDeleteLorrie, I so enjoyed your wonderfully entertaining description of these birds and the characters you compared them to - so true, each and every one! How imaginatively observant of you! Just goes to show you what some fresh air and a little Lindt can do! ;))
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week, my friend!
Poppy
Mmm chocolate! Beautiful photos of ducks - that blue on the female duck is very vibrant! I had never heard of an American Coot before---I think your description fits him well:)
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Aimee
PS: Was it you that wanted the DIY organic trap for fruit trees? I found it when I was cleaning and sorting this week.
Nice to see what an American Coot looks like. Lindt makes a delectable chocolate, don't they? Chocolate and tea are two special treats to have together.
ReplyDeletePerhaps now we know where the saying "old coot" came from. You have given the ducks nice personalities. I like ducks. I especially like the red hawthorn berries. Here, we are promised an extended warming trend by the pretty weather woman. I hope she has it right, for it has been very cold, snowy, icy so far in January. Is it close to spring yet? Have a good rest of the week.
ReplyDeleteI love to walk around the Bog. The ducks are endlessly entertaining. We have a covered metal bucket, full of duck food. I take a scoop in a baggie when I go out your way. The feed is good for the ducks - it's the mix we used to buy for our hens and ducks - and good for anyone lucky enough to watch them eat!
ReplyDeleteSo enjoyed walking round the bog and watching the ducks with you, it was fascinating. Glad you got your chocolate fix.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your ducks :)
ReplyDeleteAnd you just gave me a chocolate craving.
You captured some lovely duck images while in search of chocolate! :)
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