Make Way for the Wood Ducklings Part 2

It was hard to tell exactly how many duckling were in the box but all seven ventured out.  A few of the ducklings were photoed on their jump to the ground.   I will know next time if I hold the button down I can take a burst of photos.  I did not see the female duck on the ground but she was calling them down.  On the cam earlier she could hardly keep them from climbing and quiet.  I think I delayed the process by being too close for her to feel comfortable. The last duckling took longer than all the rest of his nest mates.  He seemed to be trying to decide if it was worth it.  His buddies were all peeping him encouragement. 

Part 3  Ducklings grounded.

Make Way for the Duckling Part 1

Oakwood is Wood Duck Heaven.  Our neighbors in the Inner Circle have a webcam on their Wood Duck box. I watched it on LiveStream. Yesterday afternoon the Nelson's duckling hatched but the female continued to sit on her brood.  Early this morning (5:00) I hurried over there with my cell,  binoculars and camera.  After she was out of the box for an hour, (usual 30 minutes to feed)  I decided I had to leave for her to return.  I also returned twice before she was ready to lead her crew out of her safety. I like to think she was giving each one a peck and wished them well before she started out of the box around 10:00.

 She sat in the box until the neighbor boys finished bouncing basket balls and the car traffic was quiet.   The mother took a very long time listening and checking out the environment.  She looked to the right, to the left, then right at me for a long time.  Looking down and starting her scan again.  I slowly ducked behind the bush that was mostly hiding me.  Then she stretched out farther and scan the area one last time before she flew down across the alley.  Suddenly one of the more active ducklings emerged and peaked out the hole.

Part 2  The Fledglings

Yellowstart , a Female Redstart

              With migration almost complete, found a female Redstart high in the Oaks 5/26                 The male Redstart was as usual moving to quickly through the treetop canopy.

A Blackburnian Warbler Moment

Spring migration isn't complete or satisfying without a sighting of Blackburnian Warblers.  We spotted him a week later than usual but up close and personal because of Gunnar's water feature.  G sat below looking up the waterfall and I sat on the steps to the deck looking down at the bush and the high sides of the structure.  It was perfect!!!  G's perfect shot was published in The Albert Lea Tribune. It is the last beautiful photo.

 Gunnar's published photo 

Black-throated Green & Chestnut-sided Warblers

             Both  Black-throated Green and Chestnut-sided Warblers are spectacular but                           common migrating Warblers that nest in Northern Minnesota and Canada.  

Black-throated Green Warbler

 

Chestnut-sided Warbler 

                                                                                          Photo by Gunnar

Nashville & Mourning Warblers and Parula Warbler

There were only a few of these more flashy Warblers. Nashville and Mourning Warblers both have yellow breasts and gray heads but what's under the chin is what distinguishes them.  The Mourning Warblers have dark gray to black like a veil or hood. Northern Parulas are more blue gray with yellow on their chest with a colorful ban of rust. 

                                      Nashville 

Mourning  - Not as clear as the others but the black under the gray hood can be seen. 

Northern Parula Gunnar's Photo