This evening I saw those same eleven young Blue-winged teals, in the same spot, still on their own, definitely appearing older than they did four days ago. I did some reading on this small dabbler to see if possibly they might have a second brood in a season, which might explain why these juveniles have no adult with them. It doesn't seem to be the case, rather Blue-winged teal females are known to be devoted mothers, remaining with their young until they can fly. So it seems the mother in this instance must have met with misfortune.
Here's something different I saw on this evening's marsh walk. Just as I approached the gate, I saw this big dragonfly land on a large rock beside the gate. Luckily, it stayed put while I took a few shots. I don't recall ever seeing one like it before. When I checked it out in my insect field guide, I found that it's a Common Whitetail Skimmer (male - the female has a brown tail), "one of our most recognizable dragonflies." Where have I been?? Obviously not where they've been.
Today was a good day for ducks, but not for cameras, and I doubted whether I'd get any photo-taking done at the marsh. However, during one clear patch, I ventured forth and got in a few shots before the rain began again and I had to put my camera under wraps.
I thought I'd call your attention to an attractive shrub that is found all around the marsh called Glossy Buckthorn, which is among a list of plants labeled invasive species. It is not native to North America, and has no natural enemies here, so it has the potential to crowd out native plants. It favours moist, fertile soil, so the marsh is ideal habitat for it to flourish. Seedlings of all sizes border the trail in the wooded section. Why not pull a few each time you pass through?
These photos weren't taken at the marsh, but they could have been, and I thought they were too cute to pass by. Yesterday I spent some time at a cottage on Grand Lake, and my attention was called to two American toads that were hiding under a paddle boat overturned on the shore. When we lifted the boat and moved it aside, there were the two dark brown adult toads -- plus a little one, which sat still for a moment, and then scampered back into the shade under the boat, with only its hind legs showing.
This morning I saw a deer again, a young buck, in the area between the marsh and the main road, near the stream that winds through the area. I hurried over to the trail that borders the sailing school property to get a different view, and caught him just after he had crossed the stream. The tide was out, so it was a muddy crossing. There he stood mud and all, cleaning a hind hoof. Notice his new antlers, which apparently can grow more than 1/2 inch a day this time of the year.
As I was walking the trail this morning, I accidentally flushed out of the tall grasses that edge the marsh, a pair of adult ducks and eleven young ones. I assumed the young ones belonged to the pair, until they swam off leaving the juveniles alone. I'm pretty sure they are Blue-winged Teals (feel free to correct me if I'm wrong). They are not completely fledged, as some of their down is still evident.
Another day, another chapter in the geese - cormorant saga at the marsh. Our friend the cormorant brought some back-up this morning, and appeared to read the geese the riot act. Some of the geese look like they're half listening...
He may as well have saved his breath, for all the good it did. (See below)
The whole time I was watching the muskrat this morning, a Sora rail was loudly peeping away, out of sight and behind or off to the side of him. After waiting several minutes, I finally caught sight of it moving through the reeds. When it came to an open spot, it would quickly dart across to the next patch of reeds, so I had to be quick to get this shot.
